| Campaigned For: | 2010 Philippine presidential election |
The 2010 presidential campaign of Manny Villar was formally launched in 2009.
In 2008, Manny Villar topped the presidential surveys, even though the issue of C-5 Road project was tackled.[1] In same year, he declared that he has intention to run for president,[2] with possibly partnering with Nationalist People's Coalition with former 2004 vice presidential candidate and Senator Loren Legarda or Senator Chiz Escudero as running mate.[3] Villar choose Legarda as his running mate.[4]
Villar organized the Senate slate of his ticket, composed of Pia Cayetano, Bongbong Marcos (who joined Nacionalista with his family due to dispute with KBL members), Susan Ople, former Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, former news reporter and congressman Gilbert Remulla, former military captain Ramon Mitra III, and professor Adel Tamano. They have also got Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People's Reform Party, Gwen Pimentel of PDP–Laban, activist Liza Maza, who is running independent, and Bayan Muna member and NDF member Satur Ocampo.[5]
| Name | Party | Occupation | Elected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pia Cayetano | Nacionalista | Incumbent Senator | ||
| Miriam Defensor Santiago | PRP | Incumbent Senator | ||
| Bongbong Marcos | Nacionalista | Governor of Ilocos Norte, former Congressman | ||
| Liza Maza | Independent | Labor activist | ||
| Ramon Mitra III | Nacionalista | Former military officer | ||
| Satur Ocampo | Bayan Muna | Activist and NDF member | ||
| Susan Ople | Nacionalista | Undersecretary for the Department of Labor and Employment | ||
| Gwen Pimentel | PDP–Laban | Human rights activitist | ||
| Ariel Querubin | Nacionalista | Former marine officer and awardee | ||
| Gilbert Remulla | Nacionalista | Former Journalist, Congressman from Cavite | ||
| Adel Tamano | Nacionalista | Professor in PLM |
From 2008 to 2009, Villar still the top in surveys on preferred presidential bets. Due to the death of former president Cory Aquino, the surveys starting began to favor her son Senator Noynoy Aquino. At first, they have a tight race, with the popularity of Manny Villar's jingle Naging Mahirap (or Nakaligo ka na ba sa Dagat ng Basura),[6] [7] is which prompted to creation of internet and Facebook memes about it.[8] He also used the slogan of Tapusin ang Kahirapan (Tagalog for "End the poverty").[9]
In the start of campaign for 2010, rumors speculated that Villar is a 'secret candidate' of President Arroyo, as Arroyo have -53 trust rating, thus Defense Secretary Gilbert Tedoro, the presidential nominee of then-merged Lakas Kampi have low ratings in survey, thus earning a 'Villaroyo' title, with combining the surname of Villar and Arroyo.[10] [11] Villar denied the accusation and his rating plummeted with now Joseph Estrada placed second, surpassing him.[12]
Also, the reopening of issue of C-5 project also affected his survey ratings, with Satur Ocampo, one of the members of his senate said that he should face senate hearings about the issue.[13]
In the 2010 general election, the Nacionalista and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) formed an alliance after it was approved by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on April 12, 2010.[14] Villar choose Senator Loren Legarda who is a member of the NPC as running mate. It became the dominant minority party after a resolution passed by the COMELEC. On April 21, 2010, it was blocked by the Supreme Court after a suit filed by the rival Liberal Party. On May 6, 2010, the Supreme Court nullified the merger and therefore giving the Liberal Party to be the dominant minority party. It was based on a resolution by the COMELEC giving political parties to be accredited by August 17, 2009.[15]
The coalition was made to help the Nacionalista Party to help boost the presidential campaign of Senator Villar and have a chance to be the dominant minority party by the COMELEC which give the rights to poll watchers during the canvassing of votes.[16] However, it is being challenged by the Liberal Party calls the said alliance a bogus alliance and they are seeking the same party status by the COMELEC. Several local races are also being challenged from both parties, therefore causing confusion in those races.
Villar eventually lost to another senator Noynoy Aquino while Legarda lost to Makati mayor Jejomar Binay.[17] Villar said that even he lost, his mission to defeat poverty will not end.[18]