Ruling party expected to name de Castro to run for vice president

For the first time, the ruling party has announced its plan to draft Senator and broadcaster Noli de Castro as the running mate of President Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 polls.

"Members of Lakas are trying to entice Noli de Castro due to his phenomenal popular charisma," said Senator Juan Flavier who also belongs to the ruling Lakas.

"By the end of the month, we will see a clearer picture," Flavier said.

Normally, the ruling party's crucial move is a well-kept secret. Analysts said the opposition has taken Flavier's revelation seriously, although it was made in his signature flamboyant style.

Insiders told Gulf News that Arroyo's choice for the vice presidency has always been de Castro. When she agreed to run as the presidential candidate of Lakas, she was allowed to choose her own running mate.

De Castro remained consistently at the top of surveys for presidential candidates.

Arroyo, an astute politician, has been making moves to firm up her candidacy and her victory in 2004, sources told Gulf News. Lakas members believe that only Arroyo can win in the 2004 elections. "For it to happen, Lakas must get the most popular presidential candidate in recent surveys as a vice president, for a sure victory for Arroyo," said the same sources.

A recent survey of Ibon Foundation has shown that Arroyo remained fourth in ranking, with de Castro and former senator Raul Roco as first and second most popular presidential candidates, followed by action star Fernando Poe Jr.

Arroyo and the ruling party have wooed former president Joseph Estrada so that he would no longer push for the candidacy of Poe of the opposition party.

Arroyo's camp has earlier hinted it will allow Estrada to leave for the US to undergo knee surgery.