MANILA (Updated 12:30 a.m.) -- Presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro’s resignation as Lakas-Kampi-CMD chair Tuesday presents a win-win situation that will enable him to devote his time to his campaign while leaving the administration party attending to all its needs.
This was the statement of Mike Toledo, Teodoro’s spokesperson and director of G1BO 2010 Media Bureau, as he said Tuesday that two-thirds of nearly 19,000 candidates running for local elective positions belong to the ruling administration party.
Toledo said Teodoro's campaign strategy in the remaining days before the elections will focus on developing and strengthening local strongholds nationwide that will deliver the votes for him on May 10.
He said given the fluidity of the current situation, it is not anymore surprising for the ruling party to add more and lose some from among its ranks.
“But Gibo will focus on our local campaign,” Toledo said. “Our strategy is to catch up in terms of further raising his awareness among our voters by campaigning tirelessly at the local level.”
Toledo also said that they are positive Teodoro will be able to win voters, especially the support of the youth through the political machinery of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Teodoro resigned Tuesday as Lakas-Kampi’s chairman in order for him to focus on his presidential campaign.
“Effective immediately, I am resigning as chairman of our party to focus all my efforts campaigning for the presidency of the country as the official candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD,” he said in a letter to Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee.
He said the party needs a “full-time chairman who will be able to respond on a 24/7 basis to the needs of our party candidates running for various elective posts this coming elections.”
Teodoro was elected Lakas-Kampi-CMD chairman in November 17, 2009. He took his oath as Lakas-Kampi member in July 2009 after leaving the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Re-electionist Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, the party’s vice chairman, is Gibo’s likely successor.
As early as last year, party officials have expressed concern whether Teodoro can handle the post of party chairman while campaigning.
His move came with only a month before the end of the campaign period (May 8) for the May 10 elections.
Teodoro is still trailing behind his second cousin Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Senator Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, and former president Joseph Estrada of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino. (JMR/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)