El Shaddai leader Bro. Mariano “Mike’ Velarde said the possibility that he would run for the presidency in 2010 is still 50/50.

Jesus is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva, meanwhile, will make an important announcement at the Barasoain church in Malolos City, Bulacan at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Sources said Villanueva is expected to announce his presidential bid in the 2010 elections in Malolos, where JIL members will commemorate the death of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

In a television interview, Velarde said there is still a 50/50 chance of him running in 2010 as he is still consulting El Shaddai members on whether or not he should run.

“I’m still in the process of consulting them. We’ll see at the end what their decision will be,” he said.

Aside from the decision of his followers, Velarde said he is also considering the opinion of his family.

“My family doesn’t want me to enter politics. Those are the factors that will bear weight on my final decision at the last hour,” he said.

In the case of the JIL leader, Villanueva had earlier announced that he is temporarily leaving his pastoral duties to lead the movement for good governance, the Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino Movement (BPBPM).

BPBPM's vision centers on the belief that the Filipinos are capable of transforming the Philippines into a productive, prosperous and respectable nation through a seven-point roadmap: empower the people, emancipate the people, educate the people, energize the economy, elevate living standards, eradicate bad governance and establish peace in the land.

Villanueva, a native of Bocaue, Bulacan, explained in a statement why they chose to commemorate Ninoy’s death and patriotism in Bulacan.