Lakas execs pick Teodoro as 2010 standard bearer

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was selected on Wednesday to be the standard bearer in 2010 of the ruling Lakas-Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino)-CMD party.

Teodoro won by a landslide against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, who walked out of the party’s national executive committee meeting after his motion to defer the voting was rejected.

In announcing the decision, presidential political adviser and party secretary-general Gabriel Claudio noted that Teodoro and Fernando were both worthy presidential aspirants.

"In the end, however, one man alone had to be chosen and the standard bearer to lead the party in the election for 2010…The candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2010 presidential elections, as endorsed by the party national executive committee is the honorable Gilberto Teodoro Jr.," Claudio said.

Claudio said Teodoro’s selection is subject to the ratification by the party’s national convention.

Radio dzBB’s Denver Trinidad quoted a party official member as saying that the voting results were 44-5 in favor of Teodoro. The official declined to be named.

House Speaker and party executive vice chairman Prospero Nograles said Teodoro “has the support of the biggest political party with about 3,000 elected officials nationwide."

Sought for comment, Fernando’s camp remained mum. “I’m sorry, we have no statement at this time," said Gina Virtusio, Fernando’s close aide.

Party vice president for membership and recruitment Prospero Pichay Jr. said Teodoro selected by the committee through secret voting.

Pichay told to the reporters that they agreed that they will conduct secret balloting.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno is also poised to become the administration party’s vice presidential bet as he is the only one who has expressed desire to run for the post, Claudio said.