THE Lakas-Kampi-CMD is looking at the possibility of a Mindanaoan running mate of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in the 2010 elections, said Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio.

Claudio, who is the secretary general of Lakas-Kampi, said this was among the recommendations during the Lakas-Kampi national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Malacanang.

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At present, three prominent names are being vetted by the party to become Teodoro's running mate, which Claudio declined to identify.

But names earlier floated to be the ruling party's vice presidential bet are Senators Loren Legarda, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., former Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano, and Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano.

"The members of the national executive committee most spontaneously came out with the observation that perhaps the party should give top priority to somebody who belongs not only to the party but to the national executive committee itself and leaders of the party or members of the execom (NEC) coming from Mindanao, were very vocal and very passionate about the need for the party to consider somebody who will represent the interest of Mindanao," he said.

The only Mindanaoans in the NEC are Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is the vice president for Mindanao of Lakas-Kampi, Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong who is the senior vice president, Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar who is the vice president for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Armm), and Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Prospero Pichay who is the vice president for membership and recruitment.

Also included in the NEC are Surigao del Norte Representative Glenda Ecleo and governors Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga and Zaldy Ampatuan of Armm who are the Lakas-Kampi regional chairperson for Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Armm.

Of the seven officials, the names of Zubiri and Pichay have mostly been mentioned.

Claudio said the interim members of the NEC are expected to step down on November 19 during the party's national convention at the PICC.

The general assembly is expected to come up with its permanent NEC members and finalize its national line-up for the May 2010 elections, including ratifying the nomination of Teodoro as the party's standard bearer.

Teodoro is also expected to take over the chairmanship of the party from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who would now become the president emeritus of Lakas-Kampi.

Asked how Zubiri would fair in the vice presidential race if ever he is chosen, Executive Secretary and Lakas-Kampi president Eduardo Ermita said anyone the administration chooses are expected to "fair very, very well" in the elections.

"He (Zubiri) is an incumbent senator, a person with a name, and the only one from Mindanao. You can imagine from Mindanao the clamor would be such, you would want somebody to be in a higher position and that is a positive factor going for Senator Zubiri if indeed he is one. But you can be sure whoever we choose he definitely would have a very, very good chance in tandem with Teodoro," he said.

Zubiri, who was elected in 2007 as senator, has a term until 2013. If ever he runs in 2010 and loses, he could resume his position as senator.

Teodoro-Zubiri tandem

Ermita said a possible Teodoro-Zubiri tandem would bode well for the administration as the two are expected to complement each other, present a balanced team, and eventually boost each other’s chance in the elections.

It would also show Mindanaoans that their interests are not forgotten and that their plights are important to administration, especially with the current problems in the island which is dragging national development.

Ermita, meanwhile, clarified that the administration is not having difficulty finding a running mate for Teodoro, stressing the party just want to be "deliberate" in their search instead of rushing into a decision.

He said the party has a "deep bench" of potential bets and they just want to ensure that whoever the party's choice would be, would also be the choice of Teodoro himself.

Ermita said the vice president, would become the acting president during the absence of the elected president like when he goes abroad to attend international engagements, thus they are looking for a vice presidentiable who has "presidential traits" like competence, experience and the desire to serve the greater majority.

The ruling party is also looking for someone who could generate vote not just for himself but for Teodoro as well, and at the same time have a "good chemistry" with the party's standard bearer.

According to Ermita, the party is not closing its doors on the other candidates who are not Mindanaoans or not members of Lakas-Kampi.

Claudio, for his part, said the party could easily announce its choice for vice president and be rash about its decision but they prefer to wait until November 19, which is about a week away.

He denied that the party is having difficulty finding a suitable running mate for Teodoro because of his low ranking in the presidential surveys.

Surveys are "very temporary conditions," said Claudio while believing that his ratings would improve once he steps down from his post as Defense Secretary and focused on his preparations for the elections.

Lakas-Kampi chairmanship

Teodoro is expected to take over the chairmanship of Lakas-Kampi from President Arroyo on November 19 when she assumes the post of president emeritus, while Ermita and the other interim officers also relinquish their posts to the "young, dynamic and not necessarily more handsome than us" group.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno also stays on as president of the vice chairman of the party until November 19.

Puno, who withdrew his plans to run for vice president, earlier said that he is considering quitting the party to be non-partisan in 2010.

Claudio said they are also waiting for the decision of former President Fidel Ramos to accept the position of chairman emeritus of the Lakas-Kampi, a post that had been kept vacant for him after he initially declined pending petitions questioning the legality of the merger of the Lakas-CMD and Kampi.

The Comelec had affirmed with finality the legality of the merger including the accreditation and registration of the party.

Ermita said he and Claudio intends to "touch base" with Ramos soon, adding that prior to the NEC, the former President had also been informed about the meeting in Malacañang.

Ermita added that apart from the party leadership and the issue of vice presidential bet, they expect the line-up for the senatorial bets to be finalized on November 19, claiming they have about 25 names to choose from.

Claudio said guest candidates for the senatorial line-up would continue to be considered but they would have to review their line-up carefully given the influx of more names during the NEC meeting.

Among those earlier mentioned to be included in the senatorial line-up are Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who were proposed to be adopted by the party, re-electionist Senator Zubiri, former senator Ralph Recto and Dangerous Drug Board chairman Vicente Sotto III, among others.

Claudio has said the party may not even field a complete 12-senatorial line up and only draw up about eight names.

Ermita and Claudio reiterated that there is no exodus from the party, stressing that members who have plans to run in 2010, especially at the local level, are expected to bolt and join other parties that would support their candidacy.

The NPC is the second biggest party with nine percent of the positions (1,659) occupied by their members, followed by the Liberal Party with seven percent (1,167).

Ermita said they expect their strength to grow with more members to join them in the coming days. He cited that a possible coalition between the Lakas-Kampi and the NPC< even only at the local level, would also further boost their strength.

Independent presidential candidate

As this developed, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando said he would run as an independent presidential candidate in 2010.

Fernando, in an interview at the inauguration of the Malabon Bus Terminal through Radyo ng Bayan, said he just have to accept and respect the decision of his party to support another candidate and pursue his political plans on his own.

The MMDA chief attended the inauguration while the administration party was holding the executive committee in Malacanang. (JMR/Sunnex)