MALACAÑANG on Saturday dismissed as "tampo" (lover's quarrel) the claim of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) head Bayani Fernando that the administration party is dissolving.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Fernando's statement may have stemmed from his hurt feelings, but added these are far from the truth.

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"We understand his hurt feelings against Lakas. But the truth - and as you have witnessed at the Philippine International Convention Center last Thursday - is that the administration party is as strong as ever," he said.

On Friday, Fernando said he had informally left Lakas-Kampi-CMD, claiming that he does not want to be part of a "dissolving" party.

Fernando, who failed to get the ruling party's endorsement as standard bearer over Gilberto Teodoro Jr. even if he is a long-time Lakas member, said he no longer believes in the party.

"I will not continue to be a member of the party, which is dissolving. I do not consider myself a member of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party anymore," he said.

But Remonde said while he still holds Fernando "in very high esteem" because of his "sterling record as a public servant," the MMDA chief has to face reality.

He also reiterated that the Palace has readied Fernando's replacement in the Cabinet should Fernando pursue his presidential bid.

"We have a very deep bench in government," he said.

Remonde however refused to name Fernando's replacement, but said the person is "somebody very knowledgeable and involved already in MMDA."

Meanwhile, the Palace official admitted another potential problem in his office as deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo is being pursued by other agencies.

He initially considered Fajardo a replacement for press undersecretary and deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr., who will run for Bacolod City congressman in 2010.

Remonde did not specify the agencies wooing Fajardo.

"She is a candidate for other government posts but I told her I would rather she stay with me at the Office of the Press Secretary," he said. (JMR/Sunnex)