MANILA, Philippines - After losing in the presidential elections, Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon said he is not retiring from public life. He is still going to pursue "transformation" by serving through the Red Cross and supporting the incoming government of President-elect Benigno Aquino III.
"Hopefully, he [Aquino] will fix up the country and we'll support him," Gordon told reporters on Wednesday morning at Maestranza in Intramuros, Manila, after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Gordon inspected the ongoing construction work in the area.
Gordon is the chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). "Magpapagawa kami ng bahay para sa mga nasalanta ng typhoons Ondoy at Pepeng. A total of 18,000 homes will be built. In Antipolo, we're building 1,000 homes. We're also looking for land in Zambales for this project," he said.
He added that they are pursuing modernization at PNRC. "Nagdadagdag kami ng mga amphibian pang-rescue."
After the presidential polls, Gordon said he has been spending time with his family, particularly his daughter who helped handle his campaign. "I'm also enjoying time with my grandchildren," he said.
"My priorities are country, family and the Lord," said the former tourism secretary.
Asked if he met up with running mate Bayani Fernando, former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), after the election, Gordon said, "Yes. We threw a party."
Gordon and Fernando projected themselves as the "Transformers" during the campaign as they advocated "transformational leadership" which is proactive and motivational.
"The transformation will still be there. I'm not going to be retired, and I'm not going to have to be paid for it," Gordon added.