ebdaREADY FOR 2010. Former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. mingles with supporters during wreath-laying ceremony at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, hours after he was selected as the standard-bearer of the Lapiang Manggagawa (LM).

Former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane Jr. Sunday formalized his presidential bid in 2010 after he was officially chosen as the standardbearer of the Lapiang Manggagawa (LM) during its national convention held at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

“I have chosen to take the risk of seeking your vote for the highest office in the land because in my four decades in public service, where service 24/7 is the key to getting the job done, I realized that there is much more that needs to be done,” Ebdane said in a speech.

He said his top most economic priorities once elected President are infrastructure development, food production, peace and order, and building a world-class labor force since he was chosen to represent the country’s workers.

With the current problems on peace and order and insurgency, the former DPWH and PNP chief vowed to put tractors and not bombs on the ground should he be elected President.

“We will boost productivity of our vast land resources instead of pouring money into weapons that cause loss of life and derail unification. Peace and order is our shared responsibility, the community must be the frontline of defense,” Ebdane said.

“We will push investments in the East-West laterals, to open up more access roads to productive areas. While we continue to expand the national road network which has attracted much investment, we must also focus on boosting the opportunities of our farmlands and farmers,” he added.

When asked about his running mate and the party’s senatorial candidates, he kept mum on his ticket, except that it’s a“male” vice presidential candidate, dousing cold water on speculations that it might be Batangas Governor Vilma Santos.

Some 3,000 members of LM started the day-long activities by holding a short program in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila where their motorcade kicked-off until they reached the historic landmark Manila Hotel. Ebdane’s supporters were clad in white shirts printed with “Ebdane, Ang Tamang Daan sa 2010.”

At noon, LM founder and president Jose Malvar Villegas Jr., with other party officials, proclaimed Ebdane as their presidential candidate while famous artist Anthony Castelo led the singing of his jingle titled “Ebdane Tayo!”

LM’s national convention also resulted in the election of Ebdane as the party’s chairman.

Among the reforms to be implemented under his leadership are the changes in party name to Philippine Labor and Peasant Party (PLPP); review and revision of the party’s constitution and by-laws; and creation of a selection committee to identify and nominate candidates for various national and local elective posts.

Talking about the support of former Fidel V. Ramos on his candidacy, Ebdane said he is reeling from his endorsement for his presidential bid. “I hope and pray (that I will get his endorsement) because he is credible,” he said in a separate interview Ramos was not present during the event but his publicist Gil Santos, in his own personal capacity, attended the national convention.

Villegas said he strongly believes that this was already an indication that the former President Ramos would soon endorse Ebdane who was once his aide.