Popular game show host-actor Eduardo 'Edu' Barrios Manzano has been named as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro's running mate.
 
This was announced by DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno at a press conference in Shangri-La Makati on Friday, Nov. 13.
 
"The person who has accepted the challenge of standing beside Secretary Teodoro in the quest to become the next president of the Republic of the Philippines…and the next vice-president of the Republic of the Philippines…[is] no other than former OMB chairman Edu Manzano," Puno proclaimed.
 
Manzano's decision came as a surprise to some as he was supposedly set to join the senatorial ticket of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s Liberal Party in 2010.
 
It is said that the Lakas-Kampi-CMD offer came as Manzano was about to take his oath of membership in the Liberal Party.
 
It was Puno who suggested Manzano to Teodoro, citing the TV host's capability as a public servant.
 
Manzano is the last in a long line of options that the ruling party considered for the position.
 
Prior, the spot was offered to Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Sen. Miguel Zubiri.
 
Both turned down the ruling party's offers.
 
Zubiri said he rejected the offer because he is not ready "emotionally and financially" to run for vice-president and that he’d rather concentrate on his work in the Senate.
 
“I’m the majority floor leader. I cannot abandon my post,” he said.
 
Revilla on the other hand, opted to vie for re-election in 2010 instead.“After a series of consultations, I believe...that I can more effectively serve the country as a senator," said he in a statement.
 
On Tuesday, Lakas-Kampi-CMD senior vice president for membership, former Rep. Prospero Pichay said former Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is also being considered as Teodoro's running mate.
 
Aside from the two actor-politicians and Zubiri, Secretary Puno was also supposed to become Teodoro's running mate.
 
Sen. Loren Legarda was also reported to have been wooed by the ruling party.
 
Manzano was born September 14, 1955, in San Francisco, California, USA.
 
Also known as "Doods," he was once married to incumbent Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos. They have a son, actor and music video jock Luis Philippe Manzano.
 
Manzano was also married to actress Maricel Soriano. He is currently engaged to ABS-CBN news anchor Pinky Webb.
 
Manzano won as Makati vice mayor in 1998. He ran for mayor of Makati in 2001 but lost to incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay.
 
In February 2004, President Arroyo appointed Manzano chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB). Manzano resigned as OMB chief last August. He was replaced by actor Ronnie Ricketts.
 
Manzano used to host the defunct ABS-CBN game show "Pilipinas, Game KNB?" He was also the host of game show franchises, "Weakest Link," and "1 vs. 100."
 
Manzano is a co-founder of the non-profit organization "Ako Mismo."