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Palace exec: Gibo’s resignation puts admin party in ‘win-win’ situation


(Updated 11:05 a.m.) A Palace official said on Wednesday that the resignation of administration standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro as chairman has put the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in a win-win situation. "If any, it’s a win-win situation for the party, since the new chairman, whoever the party chooses, can concentrate on his role and Secretary Teodoro can likewise focus on his campaign," deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said in an interview with GMANews.TV. On the other hand, he said "the President has no comment on the issue, leaving it in the hands of party organizers." In an earlier radio interview, deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas stressed that although Teodoro has resigned from his position, he is still a member of the party. "Hindi ibig sabihin pag ‘di ka chairman, ‘di ka member ng partido. Nasa partido ka pa rin. Gusto niya iba ang humawak habang siya naka-concentrate sa kampanya," Planas said on dzXL radio. (Just because you resigned as chairman does not mean you are no longer with the party. You are still with the party. Teodoro merely wanted another member to chair the party, so he can concentrate on his presidential bid.) "Walang kinalaman ang presidente sa partido, iniwan niya kay Gibo ... Dapat ang chairman ‘di kandidato," Planas added. (The president has nothing to do with party matters, she left them to Teodoro. Teodoro merely believes the party chairman should not be a candidate because of the needs of the party's other candidates). On Tuesday, Teodoro quit as chairman of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, saying the party needs a chairman who can attend to the needs of the party's other candidates.

The Liberal Party, which is critical of the Arroyo administration, said Teodoro's resignation as chairman indicates that there are cracks within Lakas-Kampi-CMD. In a text message to GMANews.TV, LP spokesman and Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada said Teodoro's move "may lead to more defections" from the party, which already saw the departure of one influential politician, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, who has thrown his support behind Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar. [See: Villar-Arroyo alliance seen in Chavit's defection from Lakas] "It shows that there are problems within the party because personalities formerly identified with Lakas-Kampi are aligning themselves with the NP. It bolsters our claim that Sen. Villar is the secret candidate of the administration," Tañada said. Aside from Singson, former Arroyo allies who have thrown their support behind Villar are Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri and former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia. LP campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad said the defections of administration allies to the Villar camp "can only be a warning to PGMA (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) and FG (First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo) to address the exodus." "Or else, more drastic steps may be taken by Teodoro. What those steps are, only Teodoro knows," Abad told GMANews.TV in a text message. Olivar said the President’s priority now is the First Gentleman, who has been hospitalized since Thursday for pains related to a heart operation in 2007. In the latest Business World-Social Weather Stations Survey, Teodoro placed fourth with six percent. His cousin, Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III, remained at the top spot with 37 percent, followed by Senator Manny Villar with 27 percent. Former president Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, was third at 19 percent. — with Johanna Camille Sisante/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
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