Transcript of Edu Manzano’s interview with ANC’s Dateline Philippines on Friday, Nov. 13, minutes after he was introduced as Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s vice-presidential candidate.

How are you feeling right now?

Well, I'm still medyo light-headed. This has become a....it's been a tough two, three days, kung saan I've been laboring over what exactly to do. Now that I have decided, I feel much more comfortable.

What was going through your mind when you were making that decision?

Well, I've always believed that the vice-presidency is an exalted position, and there are times when you have to ask yourself the question: “Am I up to the job? Is this something that I really would like to do?” These are the questions that have been going through my mind. I kept on going back to friends asking for their opinions. I have had sleepless nights. And the idea of joining Secretary Teodoro, we would be able to excite or illuminate the political arena to the point where people will stand up and listen to us and believe that we have the right agenda.

What was the clincher? What made you really decide to accept that challenge?

Well it was the meeting number 2 with Secretary Teodoro, where we realized that we could harmonize a lot of our agendas, a lot of our advocacies, platforms and a lot of what we think the country needs to be able to push it forward and to be competitive.

You have experience running an agency of the government, a short stint as vice-mayor. Do you think you have the capability of running a national post?

I've been in public service for quite a while now. I would like to think that along the way, I've learned some very valuable lessons, and these are what I can take to the office of the vice president if the time comes. And also, like I said, it's gonna be a partnership. Secretary Teodoro was very specific when he said that, "Edu we will work  together," and I believe him. And again, this shouldn't be just a job of one or a job of two, but it's a team effort, and the people whom we will be working with also will play a big role.

What would you be running on? What would be your platform?

Well, I'd like to think that it's credibility, integrity and hard work, and I would like to think that we're ready to get going and do our share.

How many meetings exactly did you have?

Well, I had actually three meetings with Secretary Teodoro. The first meeting was the "getting-to-know-you." I've known Secretary Teodoro for many years. I've known his family and we were still dancing in the first meeting. The second meeting got kind of serious, kung saan we talked about platforms, advocacies and positions we take on certain issues and I found out that I could very easily harmonize my position with that of Secretary Teodoro.

How long have you been meeting? When did you have the first meeting?

Yes, we kept it very, very quiet. Most of the time, I have been meeting with Secretary Puno. He was the one who first brought me on board and asked me to consider the position of vice-president.

Was this about a week ago, two weeks ago, a month ago? Has this been something that has been secretly ongoing?

I have to admit that it's been going on for quite a while, over two months ago. It started off when I spoke to Secretary Puno who I hold in very high regard. I told him that I was entertaining political plans and I was hoping to run for the Senate. He was discussing and telling me what to expect and what would be necessary to be able to push the candidacy forward. And then he threw me a loop when he said, "Why don't you consider the position of vice-president?"

Looking at the SWS surveys that have come out for the senatorial race, you were looking very good. Did that come to play?

Well that's what a lot of my friends are saying. I was ranking from 7 to 11, sometimes 6 to 10 in the surveys, and they said "Edu safe ka na sa Senate, so why go to a territory where you've never gone before?" I figured it's not that I want to play safe. I figured I wanted to team up with Secretary Teodoro. In many, many forums, I've expressed how I thought about the gentleman, and I have a lot of belief that he can really move this country forward.

Was Lakas-Kampi the only party you talked to?

For the vice presidency yes, but when it comes for the senatorial race, I had a chance to speak to a number of parties who invited me to join their slate.

And you thought that Lakas-Kampi would be the better party?

Well I've been a Lakas member since 2001, and like I said, Secretary Puno was very convincing.

How do you think you'll match up with other vice-presidential candidates?

Well, I would like to think that it's not gonna be a one-on-one match up, but more of looking at a team here. We're looking at a tandem who would like to really bring and push the country forward, make it competitive, sustainable growth. We're talking about areas that we feel have a need to be addressed. I'm not looking at it as a Edu against Mar, Edu against Loren. I'm looking at the Teodoro-Manzano tandem.

And your team is the team to beat sir?

I would like to  think so.