Gibo Teodoro takes 2-day break, conducts loyalty check

Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro has cancelled 2 days of campaigning to fix the troubles hounding the administration party.

Teodoro gathered party leaders in a closed-door meeting in Makati Wednesday to conduct a loyalty check.

The meeting came after a series of resignations and defections of Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts.

The latest to leave the party was President Arroyo's economic adviser Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Reginald Velasco, deputy secretary-general of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said they want to know who are truly for Teodoro. They also want to rally the troops and ask them how the defections will affect the party.

At a hastily called press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday, members of the so-called "Green Team 2010" reiterated their support for Teodoro, who has lost several party mates.

The party's new chairman Amelita Villarosa herself said more members could bolt as the elections near.

There are also rumors that members of the Arroyo Cabinet, including Finance Secretary Gary Teves, former Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, are soon jumping ship.

But Lakas-Kampi-CMD's secretary-general Ray Roquero denied this, saying it was black propaganda waged by Teodoro's opponents.

Aquino sees more defections

But if Liberal Party standard-bearer Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr. is to be believed, more Lakas-Kampi officials will follow Joey Salceda's move and join his camp.

Aquino tapped Salceda to serve as the LP's chairman in the Bicol region.

"Meron pang iba pang darating. At hintayin ko sila magdeklara para di ma-preempt ang kanilang announcement. At di lang sa administration party, meron iba pang panggagalingan. But I’m not at liberty to say it. I did agree they will do it in their own time," Aquino said on Wednesday,

For Aquino's chief rival, Senator Manny Villar, Salceda's decision to join the Liberals proves there is no secret alliance between the Nacionalista Party and the administration camp.

Villar also denied there are on-going talks between his camp and Lakas-Kampi vice chairman Prospero Nograles.

Nograles earlier threatened to bolt Lakas-Kampi, complaining that he was being left out. He said the party leadership has been making decisions without consulting him.

But the Speaker is now consulting former President and Lakas-CMD co-founder Fidel Ramos on how to save the ruling party.