MANILA, Philippines ? Bayani Fernando said on Tuesday that he would soon quit his post as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to pursue his candidacy for the presidency in the 2010 elections.

?There is no turning back. Definitely I?m resigning soon para ?di mapagkamalian ang aking susunod na hakbang o desisyon [so as not to confuse the public about my actions or decisions],? Fernando said in a statement.

The MMDA chief, however, did not give the exact date of his resignation.

Fernando, a member of Lakas-CMD-Kampi, failed to get the support of his partymates, and said he might run as an independent candidate.

?The presidency is all about governance so what we need is someone with executive abilities, especially someone who is an engineer since governance is about engineering,? Fernando, a mechanical engineer by profession, said.

In boosting his credentials for the presidency, Fernando cited his political career in Marikina City, where he served as mayor starting 1992, and where, he said, he showed how a community could be transformed through good governance and cleanliness.

?If I can manage Metro Manila and transform it, I can also manage the country,? he said.

Obviously referring to other candidates, Fernando said the country would not progress through popularity, sympathy and emotions, only.

?The people must start doing away with [popularity]. They must choose their leaders who can get the country out of the hell hole,? he stressed.

?We have to elect a president who will know what to do from Day One,? he added.