Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro on Sunday said he is bent on pursuing his goal of winning the presidency amid rumors that he is backing out of the race.
In a statement, Teodoro dismissed rumors that that his resignation as chairman of the ruling coalition Lakas-Kampi is a precursor to his move to quit the presidential race.
"Rumors have been circulating that I will allegedly call for a press conference this Monday to announce my withdrawal from the presidential race. Such rumors are originating from sectors that will cast aside all notions of decency to satiate their salivation and hunger for power through the Presidency," he said in a statement sent by Teodoro's spokesman, Mike Toledo.
He added: "Unfortunately, such is commonplace in Philippine politics, which reinforces my determination to make a stand, to continue the fight. I will settle for no less than VICTORY. Our people deserve no less. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!"
Teodoro resigned as chairman of Lakas-Kampi last Tuesday, a move which was imitated by Lakas-Kampi party president Rene Miguel Dominguez and secretary general Francis Xavier Manglapus. (Read: After Gibo, 2 top Lakas-KAMPI execs quit)
Sources from Teodoro's camp earlier said the Lakas presidential bet resigned as party chairman to protest the lack of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the party's chair-emeritus. (Read: Gibo quit to protest GMA's lack of support: sources)
The lack of support is evident in Teodoro's low level of spending on political advertisements compared with the other major opposition presidential bets.
From February 9 to March 2, Teodoro spent P60 million, even lower than Bagumbayan presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon, who spent P67 million.
Teodoro was fifth in TV ad spending after Sen. Manny Villar (P120 million), former President Joseph Estrada (P88 million), Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III (P87 million), and Richard Gordon (P67 million).
He spent only half of what Villar spent in the first month of the presidential campaign. This is based on a study by Libertas using data of media research firm, AGB Nielsen.
Teodoro, meanwhile, welcomed the recent appointment of Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa as the new chairwoman of the ruling party.
Villarosa, who represents Occidental Mindoro, was chosen chairperson of Lakas-Kampi-CMD in place of Teodoro during an emergency meeting last Wednesday of the ruling party's Executive Committee.
In that same executive committee meeting, erstwhile Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general Francis Manglapus was chosen to be the new party president-vice Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez-while its deputy secretary-general Raymundo Roquero took over Manglapus' place as secretary-general.
As the newly appointed Lakas-Kampi secretary general, Roquero called on all of its local leaders and members to close ranks and rally solidly in support of Gibo and the rest of the ruling party's national candidates.
These are the party's vice-presidential bet Edu Manzano and senatorial candidates reelectionist Senators Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid, lawyer Raul Lambino, media personality Rey Langit, former justice secretary Silvestre Bello and Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan.
Roquero said last week's meeting was convened following Gibo's decision to step aside as party chairman so the former defense secretary can work full-time on his candidacy and let the party choose a new chairperson who can also devote his or her 100 percent attention to the needs of the party and its candidates who are running for elective positions in the May 10 balloting.
Two-thirds of nearly 19,000 candidates running for local elective positions belong to the ruling party.
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