Gibo resigns as Lakas chairman

Source: Manila Bulletin
Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. resigned Tuesday as party chairman.

Teodoro, who has been lagging behind in several political poll surveys, sent his resignation letter to the party’s national executive committee headed by Saranggani Gov. Rene Miguel Dominguez, saying he wanted to focus all his efforts on campaigning for the presidency.

“Effective immediately, I am resigning as chairman of our party so that I can focus all my efforts campaigning for the presidency of the country as the official candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD,” the text of Teodoro’s letter read.

The letter added: “The Party needs at this time a full time Chairman who will be able to respond on a 24/7 basis to the needs of our party candidates running for various posts this coming elections.”

Lakas-Kampi-CMD Deputy Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Teodoro’s decision is understandable considering that 70 percent of all local officials running for elective posts are party members.

Velasco doused cold water to speculations that Teodoro’s resignation was triggered by the disorganized campaign operations being carried out by his partymates. Alleged poor financial backing from the party was also not a reason for the former Cabinet fficial’s decision.

Velasco said the national executive committee is expected to hold an emergency session next week to pick Teodoro’s replacement, adding that the most likely candidate should be somebody who could devote his time “24/7 as Gibo has stated.”

“I think the best candidate to the position should be somebody who is not running,” Velasco said.

Teodoro’s resignation as top party leader came in the heels of reports that his ratings in the poll survey conducted by Social Weather Station (SWS) showed a two-percent improvement but remained at single digit.

Other surveys have indicated huge improvements but Teodoro wants a stronger push for his presidential bid.

The ruling party presidential bet reportedly wants to be freed from the extreme pressure of attending to the needs of over 18,000 party leaders who are pursuing various posts in the May 10 elections.

Described by political analysts as the most qualified presidential bet by experience and intellect, Teodoro has also been turning down invitations for him to join public debates where he easily excels.

Teodoro reportedly wants to pursue grassroots political campaign to personally lure ”CDE” voters, many of whom are unaware of his presidential bid.

The Harvard-trained presidential candidate was elected chairman of Lakas-Kampi-CMD shortly after he won last year the party nomination as its standard-bearer in the May 10 elections.

Given a free hand to organize the party, Teodoro appointed close friend Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez to replace former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita as president of the party.