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Gibo quits as Lakas-Kampi chair to focus on campaign


(Updated 10:30 p.m.) Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. has quit as chairman of the administration party to focus his energy on his presidential campaign, days after various provincial allies defected to the camp of Nacionalista Party presidential bet Manuel Villar Jr. “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," Teodoro said in a letter addressed to the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee. The announcement came days after Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. left Lakas-Kampi-CMD after he openly announced support for Villar along with 22 mayors from the province. Lakas-Kampi Ilocos Sur provincial chairman Luis “Chavit" Singson also recently quit the administration party after he endorsed Villar instead of Teodoro. Lawyer Mike Toledo, Teodoro’s spokesman, said the administration party standard-bearer had already formally submitted the resignation letter and met on Tuesday night with party officials about his decision. Toledo said Teodoro “may not be able to handle the responsibility of dealing with internal party matters," especially now that local campaigns have kicked off.

However, he clarified that Teodoro remains as Lakas-Kampi’s standard-bearer despite the resignation. Teodoro was elected Lakas-Kampi-CMD national chairman in November 2009 at a national convention where he was formally declared as the party’s standard-bearer. No significant effect Administration party stalwart Prospero Pichay Jr. told GMANews.TV Teodoro’s resignation would not significantly affect Lakas-Kampi’s stability. He said the party could easily choose Teodoro’s replacement once Lakas-Kampi’s national directorate accepts his resignation. “The national directorate will likely meet after the Holy Week to discuss the resignation and elect a new chairman once the resignation has been accepted," Pichay said. According to Lakas-Kampi’s constitution, the party’s two vice-chairmen “shall jointly serve as chairman in the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary capacity." Administration party vice-presidential bet Edu Manzano and reelectionist Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno are Lakas-Kampi’s vice-chairmen. Pichay said the party might choose between Manzano and Moreno as Teodoro’s replacement, although he noted that both are also running for posts in the May polls. “Halos lahat naman kasi sa partido, busy ngayon sa kampanya (Almost everyone in the party is busy campaigning)," he said. Teodoro has placed fourth in national preference surveys, trailing behind his second cousin Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, and former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. Teodoro’s Facebook page, in its latest status update, said: “Sec. Gibo Teodoro remains steadfast in winning the presidency on May 10, 2010, that is why he had to resign as chairman of the party, because of the diligent work being chairman requires. This now allows him to dedicate his full time to his campaign." — RJAB Jr/KBK/NPA, GMANews.TV
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