Philippine Marines Col. Ariel Querubin gets a hug from his children during a mass last Saturday where he announced he is seeking a Senate seat in the May 2010 elections under the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manny Villar. (Photo by ROUELLE UMALI)

Embattled Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin has bowed out from the military service three years ahead of his mandatory retirement in order to legalize his intention to join the political fray in the 2010 national elections.

On Saturday, Querubin formally declared that he shall run for senator under the lineup of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Senator Manny Villar whom he called “My President” in a speech after the thanksgiving mass at the St. Ignatius Chapel in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“I declare my candidacy for the Senate in 2010. On Monday, I shall file my certificate of candidacy to run as senator of the Republic of the Philippines,” said Querubin.

“I am running to restore the honor and dignity of every Filipino through meaningful legislation that could have positive impact on their lives. I am running to make my lifetime worthwhile, that every moment left of it will be dedicated in the service of my country,” he added.

Villar, for his part, confirmed the inclusion of Querubin in their lineup, explaining that they decided to welcome the detained Marine officer, implicated in the alleged plot to overthrow President Arroyo in February 2006, in order for the soldiers to have a representative in the legislative branch of the government.

“Si Colonel Ariel Querubin ay hinubog ng Philippine Marine Corps sa pamamagitan ng motto nito: Karangalan, Katungkulan Kabayanihan.

Kumbinsido akong ang mga katangiang iyan ay ang makikita natin sa paglilingkod niya bilang isang senador,” Villar told reporters in an interview after the thanksgiving mass.

Querubin, who was awarded the highest military award for bravery in combat, the coveted Medal of Valor, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979.

He was jailed in 2006 after he and other fellow military officers allegedly tried to join the anti-government rally in February of the same year at the EDSA Shrine where they would supposed to announce their withdrawal of support from President Arroyo.

The military leadership said that Querubin, along with Brigadier General Danilo Lim who is also running for senator under the ticket of former President Joseph Estrada, tried to convince then military chief of staff Generoso Senga to join them but failed.