He also admires Manzano's "umatched intelligence," and genuine concern for the youth.

"Matindi ang advocacy niya sa para sa mga kabataan... Ang moral rectitude... ng mga kabataan ay pinangalagaan niya bilang OMB chair," Teodoro said.

POLITICAL PROFILE. Manzano is no stranger to public service. In 1998, he was elected vice mayor of Makati City in a bitterly-contested election. He only got to assume his post after the Commission on Elections finally reversed an earlier decision that disqualified him from public office because he was born in the United States.

Manzano then ran for mayor in 2001, but lost to incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay.

He battled piracy as the Chairman of the OMB from 2004 until his resignation last August of this year, when he cited plans to "consider other avenues of public service."

Manzano, also known as "Doods," is a popular actor who has appeared in around 100 films and 20 television shows in the Philippines. One of his more popular roles was playing Pinoy superhero Captain Barbell in 1986.

He was the former husband of the "Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos, and the "Diamond Star" Maricel Soriano. He has one son with Vilma: actor and TV host Luis Manzano.

Manzano is currently engaged to broadcast journalist Pinky Webb.

If he pursues his vice presidential bid next year, he might run against Binay, Joseph Estrada's running mate, for the second time. He may also run against Senator Mar Roxas and Senator Loren Legarda.