Speaking before a group of ‘yuppies’ in Quezon City, Pangilinan said there is a huge opening for the entry of new public-sector leaders who should be willing to change the current political system that remains a carry-over of the corrupt and dishonest structure of the Martial Law regime.

"We don’t have the luxury of time in transforming politics in this country," Pangilinan stressed as he appealed to new leaders from the professional group for wider participation in any aspect of politics and governance.

Pangilinan said the local government can be a source of new breed of leaders as the country is still in the process of fighting the "tail-end" of bad politics.

"There’s a good opportunity here. We’re pushing for better future, good governance and better leadership," he said.

Young professionals have been throwing solid support for the candidacy of Pangilinan who is running independent.

He said support from organizations of young professionals have been steadily pouring in despite his decision not to affilitate himself with any political party.

Pangilinan admitted that he had received an attractive offer to join the administration Team Unity which he rejected because he was one of the few officials who openly called for the resignation of President Arroyo.

The Senate Majority leader also said that he never applied for a slot in the Genuine Opposition.

Without Pangilinan’s consent, GO adopted him as a guest candidate only to drop the senator when he refused to join political sorties of the opposition senatorial slate.