MANILA -- Lakas-Kampi-CMD formally named its presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2010 elections in its national convention Thursday.

Former Department of National Defense (DND) secretary Gilberto Teodoro and TV Host Edu Manzano accepted the nominations to be the administration party’s standard bearers.

See video of Teodoro's speech

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the opening of the convention, highlighting the reforms of the party and its dominance among other political parties. She said Lakas-Kampi is the “full pledged national political party.”

Meanwhile, 800 local Lakas-Kampi-CMD members in Davao moved to the Liberal Party (LP), which is fielding Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for president.

Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez, the new Lakas-Kampi national president, commented on the party hopping, saying it is normal in (Philippine) politics.

"If there are people who want to leave, let them be," Dominguez added.

On questions over his eligibility and capability to run for vice president, Edu Manzano said his critics should not underestimate him because he is an actor. His profession, he added, does not make him unfit and incapable of bringing good leadership to the people.

“If they (critics) question (my candidacy), then they also question the intellectual capability of everyday Filipinos,” Manzano said.

Manzano said his candidacy would not falter.

“Our party could lead the people to a more vibrant and good tomorrow, Game na!” Manzano, who is a TV show host, said.

Teodoro, for his part, announced that the party’s platform aims to address the “four faces of poverty”: poverty of mind, poverty of pocket, poverty of environment, and poverty of relationships.

He vowed that they will not lose their commitment to society, and promised to be leaders for God, for man, for country, and for the environment.

He said he advocates social and governmental reformation through participation, national dialogue, and debate.

“Excellence will be our key to winning the struggles we have in the country and we stand for life, liberty, and prosperity. Victory for the Filipino people is the destiny of our party,” Teodoro said. (Sunnex)