The group headed by former Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) secretary-general Nilo Tayag is still hoping that Chief Justice Reynato Puno will change his mind and go for it in 2010.

Tayag, now an Aglipayan bishop and convenor of the Ayaw sa Trapo Movement, maintained that Puno could be the best alternative presidential candidate because he is the embodiment of “what is not a traditional politician.”

“Chief Justice Puno is not a trapo (traditional politician). He is fit to become President,” Tayag said at the weekly “Kapihan sa Sulo” forum in Quezon City.

In the same news forum, however, former UP College of Law Dean Froilan Bacungan said it would be better for Puno to stay away from politics.

“Maganda na ang nagawa nya sa (judiciary). ‘Wag na lang siyang maging politician,” Bacungan said. He did not elaborate.

Tayag said it is never too late for Puno to finally accept their offer for him to join the presidential race.

“We have already prepared a program for him. We’re doing our homework unlike other political parties. We can start the campaign with a clear-cut ideology, principle and programs,” Tayag said.

The Chief Justice had earlier said he has no plans of joining politics and being the country’s top magistrate remains his top priority.

But Tayag’s group ignored this and started earlier this year a signature drive aimed at gathering two million signatures to convince Puno to run for president in 2010.