Philippine defense chief is administration front runner in next year election

Three time Tarlac congressman and current Philippine national defense chief Gilbert Teodoro is now the administration's candidate for president for the next year election.

Party leaders of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD showed their overwhelming vote of confidence to their adopted member against the long time party member and current MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando. It will be recalled that Sec. Teodoro abandoned his Nationalista Party to seek for endorsement of the stronger Lakas-KAMPI-CMD party.

The election was held yesterday in a closed door meeting attended by the leaders of the coalition at Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. Some members were at the hotel as early as 8AM . Majority of the members were in around 10AM including rival endorsement seeker Teodoro and Fernando.

Vice President Noli de Castro who was also persuaded by the coalition to join the selection process did not show up during the historical event.

The endorsement of the 49 incumbent provincial governors last friday was a big boost to the campaign of Secretary Teodoro. It will be recalled that on September 4, 2009 during the general assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City the governors endorsed the candidacy of Teodoro for President.

On an another event in Quezon City prior to the selection process, an orchestrated moved by a group of 85 pro administration congressmen headed by Zambales Congresswoman Magsaysay also endorsed Teodoro for President .