PAST HIS TIME? Archbishop Oscar Cruz intently eyes Senator Panfilo Lacson, whose earlier decision not to run for president has disappointed the outspoken prelate. (LINUS GUARDIAN ESCANDOR)

Although no longer eyeing the presidency, Senator Panfilo Lacson is open to the idea of running for vice president in the May 2010 national and local elections.

“I’m open to the idea. But I have not given it a serious thought,” Lacson said in yesterday’s church-organized forum in Intramuros, Manila.

In fact, he said, two presidential candidates have approached him to ask him to be their running mate.

“At least two possible presidential candidates are talking to our camp,” he said.

But the senator said he would only partner with somebody who will really serve the country.

“What is important is that the person’s vision is for the country and not for himself,” Lacson said.

Even if he does not run for vice president in 2010, Lacson said he is willing to support any candidate whose vision is similar to his.

“My vision for the country is very clear and that is set the government right and I think we can set the country right,” he said. “I’m willing to campaign for any candidate whose vision matches mine.”

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, meantime, expressed disappointment over Lacson’s decision not to run for the presidency, saying he is now at a loss who to vote for in 2010.

“I don’t know who to vote for anymore. But definitely I’m not going to vote for a candidate who claims to be talking to God,” he said.

Lacson announced last June that he was withdrawing his presidential bid due to his “extremely limited resources.”