It’s the presidency or nothing.

Thus, Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal Friday formally announced her bid to run for the presidency in the May, 2010 elections.

Madrigal, the senator who filed an ethics complaint case against Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. for alleged conflict of interest over the controversial C-5 road project, also said unequivocally she would not slide down to a vice presidential position nor look for the endorsement of President Arroyo or former President Joseph Estrada.

Madrigal is also confident she has enough resources to fund a nationwide campaign despite a stiff competition of advertisements already launched by other presidential “hopefuls.”

“Today, I cross the Rubicon. I am certain in my decision to run for the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines and file my candidacy without hesitation on 30 November 2009,” Madrigal said at a press conference at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City.

“My goal is plain and simple. I want to offer myself as a choice for all Filipinos,” said Madrigal saying she made her decision following the month-long Congress break and a two-week personal retreat.

“I came to realize that the path I should take would be to serve my country in a greater capacity,” added Madrigal.

Wearing a green dress, her campaign color which she claims symbolizes hope and return of spring, Madrigal, a member of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban), said her choice of a vice presidential candidate and a political party is still “a work in progress.”

But she stressed she would not ask for the endorsement of the Arroyo administration. But when asked if she would seek the support of opposition stalwart, Madrigal said she would give Estrada “the freehand to make the decision” whether to endorse her or another opposition candidate.

“I will run not based on trapo (traditional politician) principles. My voting record in the Senate speaks for itself. Where others have faltered, I have been decisive,” she said pointing to her negative votes on the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) and other anti-poor tax measures as well as her “no” vote to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

“I continue to fight corruption with neither fear nor favor, be it the President of the Philippines or a colleague in the Senate,” she stressed.

Madrigal also said she is certain she is “an agent of change because I have the resources to run a campaign without being indebted to anyone.”

“My goal is selfless service, pure and simple, I will pay my debt only to the country. This country has given me much and my gift to our people is to change their lives for the better,” she said.

As for her critics, Madrigal said she would “take their insults” honorably as this means her detractors are affected by her.

“I am taking their insults. Hindi ako pikon (I am not peeved) ok lang ako. They can insult me. I’m honored though because that means they are affected,” she said.