Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is left teary-eyed after announcing his decision to withdraw from the presidential race to spare his family and supporters ‘the agony and burden of joining a fight which we cannot win’.

In a move that surprised many, former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane Jr. announced Sunday that he was backing out of the presidential race in the May 2010 elections due to lack of funds to wage a national campaign.

“After much reflection, I have decided to formally end my presidential bid. I have come to this decision to spare my friends, supporters and my family from the agony and burden of joining a fight which we cannot win,” Ebdane said in a press briefing at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.

He was supposed to make known his running mate and senatorial candidates under his party Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka (PMM) but his supporters were caught by surprise when he instead told them his decision not to run.

On stage, Ebdane was not able to control his emotion and publicly cried while making his announcement. The teary-eyed would be PMM bearer was comforted by his son, Omar Ebdane, and other family members.

“My survival training dictates that I assess the situation, take stock of my options and make a decision. Given the sudden changes and swift developments that have altered my own political options, my training tells me that this is the right time for the public servant to bow out,” said the former police general.

Ebdane, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, admitted that he is short of funds to launch a national campaign.

“I have realized that I cannot wage a decent presidential campaign without sufficient funds. Ugly as it may sound, lack of funds can unmake a viable presidential run,” he said.

However, a reliable source said his withdrawal came after he was not able to get the endorsement of his fellow military man and former President Fidel Ramos which is believed to be crucial in his presidential campaign.

The same source said he arrived at the decision only Saturday night in a meeting with some party officials, close friends and members of his family.
But in a separate interview, his campaign manager, former Labor Secretary Ruben Torres, doused such speculations, saying that it’s not true because the former president is scheduled to endorse a presidential candidate by March next year yet.

Asked if he will still seek other electoral posts apart from the presidency, Ebdane was quick to respond with a “no” and said he will focus on strengthening the party.

Ebdane pledged to continue with his vision in his capacity as chairman of PMM to initiate measures that will unite the Filipino people, instill nationalism and patriotism to all Filipinos, provide equitable distribution of wealth, solve the severe housing problem in the country, maintain peace and unity, be the watchdog for good governance, and protect workers’ rights, among others.

“It has been a privilege to have served you and our country for the last 43 years. Finally, I can take a vacation, and finally spend Christmas with my family,” he said on a final note.

Ebdane is the second presidential bet to quit the race after Senator Francis “Chiz’’ Escudero earlier withdrew his bid.

His supporters who gathered for Sunday’s event from all over the country said Ebdane’s withdrawal was a big letdown and was a deep shock to many.

Sultan Omar Dianalan, who was one of the people inside the venue, did not know it. Ramon "Mike" Amolan, one of Ebdane's long time allies and friends, did not know it either over 30 minutes after his speech.

A supporter from Tawi-Tawi said they were supposed to meet with Ebdane after the supposed proclamation, but one of the nephews of Ebdane texted him in Pilipino that "no more meeting, secretary is not running anymore."

A very reliable source relayed to the Manila Bulletin the intention of Ebdane to back out as he was proceeding to the stage for the second time at past 10 a.m. Sunday.

"We were informed by Secretary Ebdane in a closed door meeting at the UP Alumni House's coffee shop that he was backing out and will announce it today," the source said.

Ebdane reportedly told those in the meeting that some of those who promised to help finance his candidacy did not fulfill their commitment.

"If the election day is just a few days from now, then my financial support can keep up. But the election is still far away, so we may not reach the finish line," the source paraphrased Ebdane.

Former Commission on Elections Commissioner Emil Sadain, who would have joined Ebdane's two-man senatorial slate, summed up the disappointment of Ebdane’s supporters.

"It was really unfortunate that Secretary Ebdane has to withdraw. What's good about him is that he was the only presidential aspirant with a Mindanao-focused agenda for peace and progress," said Sadain.

Ebdane's slogan, "tractors, not guns," will be the best way to address the intractable peace and development problems in Mindanao, said the ex-Comelec official.

"If he runs for another office, we will still support him," said Sadain. (With a report from Chito A. Chavez)