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Crisostimo wants to run for governor
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Posted on Oct 13 2004
Former Gov. Froilan Tenorio does not have the ball in the bag yet as far as the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial endorsement for 2005 elections is concerned. Democratic newcomer Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo stands close, hoping to get the party’s backing in next year’s election for the highest elective post.
“I am running for governor. I am submitting my letter of intent [soon],” he told reporters yesterday as he dismissed rumors about him running as Tenorio’s running mate.
He said he would challenge Tenorio in a party primary.
“If he [Tenorio] beats me, then fine, he can go ahead, but if I beat him in the primary, I’m the one running for governor and he’d be my lieutenant governor,” he said.
Crisostimo, 43, believes that he is the right party candidate, being its “ highest elected member.”
He said he also feels that the Democratic Party “needs a great leader, a leader with a new vision who can steer the government in the right direction.”
“[It’s] not somebody who has been a governor. What have you done in the last four years? Let’s be creative now,” the senator said.
Tenorio, who was recently elected as chair of the party’s executive committee, has been openly expressing his desire to return to politics.
Tenorio served as governor from 1994 to 1998. He later attempted to get elected for the same post but failed. In 2001, he formed his own Reform Party and ran for the 2001 gubernatorial race. He lost to the Babauta team.
After some attempts, Crisostimo finally won a Senate seat in the 2003 midterm election, displacing then Sen. Ramon “Kumoi” Guerrero.
Crisostimo led the Senate race with 2,164 votes, followed by Covenant Party’s Jose Mafnas who received 1,695 votes, Republican’s Andrew Salas with 1,262, Guerrero with 1,220, and Joaquin Quitugua with 90 votes.
Documents showed that Crisostimo recorded the highest campaign spending of $67,311 for the 2003 elections. He submitted to the Election Commission $61,451 worth of receipts.
