Presidential wannabes and other politicians Sunday joined the 100-meter “Unity Walk’’ at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City amid a roaring and appreciative crowd before signing a covenant to resort only to lawful channels in their election bids for 2010.

Dubbed as “Eleksyon 2010 na, Tatakbo Ka Ba? Hamon Para sa Kaayusan ng Pilipinas’’, the run-for-a cause campaign initiated by GMA Network invited likely 2010 presidential candidates and vice-presidential aspirants to show their support for fair elections and good governance.

Those who made it to the “Unity Walk’’ included Senators Francis Escudero, Jamby Madrigal, Mar Roxas, Francis Pangilinan, Manny Villar, Loren Legarda and Dick Gordon; former president Joseph Estrada, Bayani Fernando, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Jesus Is Lord leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

Absent from the affair were Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Noynoy Aquino, Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, El Shaddai spiritual leader Mike Velarde and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca due to previous commitments.

Aside from the political hopefuls, a long line of GMA Network executives, field reporters, movie stars and personalities including boxing champion Nonito Donaire and his wife Rachel joined the walk-for-a-cause.

The atmosphere turned festive as fans squeezed their way in to get a glimpse of movie personalities like Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Marvin Agustin, Regine Velasquez, Richard Gutierrez, Maxene Magalona and Ricky Davao, among others.

Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo administered the pledge of a fraud-free, peaceful, clean and honest election to the presidential and vice presidential contenders, who were made to affix their signatures to a covenant in support of the Filipinos’ cry for righteousness in the coming polls.

During the press conference, Villanueva said the emergence of more candidates like Noynoy Aquino is a positive development since it indicates the people’s outcry for change.

“Whoever should be president is ultimately a decision that the Filipino people alone should make. The more options there are for the people to choose from the better,” Villanueva noted.

The Jesus is Lord leader noted that his candidacy is governed by the four Cs which stands for character, competence, courage and compassion.

For his part, Fernando said backing out of the presidential race has never been an option since he is dead serious in serving the 90 million Filipinos who will benefit from his “gwapo” projects.

“I belong to the biggest political party in the country. My years of experience in the government including the three terms as mayor of Marikina City and my present position as MMDA chairman will come in handy,” he said.

Since becoming a senator, Pangilinan said he considers himself as a man who comes up with the right solution to challenges, a trait he considers viable for his vice presidential bid.

Roxas said he wants to effect change to the manner of governance where words should always be backed up by deeds, saying people have grown tired of traditional politicians making empty promises.

Gordon meanwhile called for a transformation of the country, saying his call is based on his track record as Olongapo City mayor for 12 years, six years as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman, three years as tourism secretary and 30 years in public service.

Estrada and Villar did not attend the press conference as they had to leave due to other pressing matters.

Others who joined the event are political aspirants Nicanor Perlas and John Carlos delos Reyes.