Teodoro out of NPC; it's Chiz or Loren for 2010

MANILA, Philippines – With Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. out of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the party is likely to choose between Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda as standard bearer for the 2010 polls. Teodoro, who announced his possible bid for the presidency, won’t get the support of his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr., NPC's chairman emeritus. Danding's son, Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco on Wednesday told reporters that the Defense chief had left the political party. Mark lamented that Teodoro left the party without formally informing its members. He said he only read about it in the papers. "He's my cousin...I'm sad that he left. I would suppose that my father has the same sentiments." Nevertheless, the lawmaker said Teodoro's departure from NPC would not put a strain on the family because "there are things more important than politics." Mark said he and the rest of the NPC members would support whoever would be chosen as standard bearer. The NPC will choose between Escudero and Legarda. Whoever is not chosen as the party's presidential bet will likely run for vice president, according to Mark. "Whoever is better in the ranking pag malapit na deadline ng filing [of candidacy], they [party members] …will decide among themselves," the congressman said. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Escudero came in second with an 18-percent preference rating, next to incumbent Vice President Noli de Castro who got 22 percent. Legarda came in fifth with 10 percent. The younger Cojuangco said that while his father continued to enjoy the respect of NPC members, Danding would not impose his will on who would be the party's standard bearer. "Whatever his opinion, [it] will count. But he will also be looking at the realities of the situation. He will not impose his will," Mark said. According to the congressman, several political figures including local officials are asking to be included in the NPC's senatorial slate, but party leaders are still in the screening process for "quality candidates." - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV