It will be a Teodoro-Puno tandem for the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD in next year’s national elections.

This, after the National Executive Committee of the Malacañang-backed political party voted to endorse Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” C. Teodoro to be its presidential bet following a three-hour meeting at EDSA Shangrila Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Teodoro, who declared he would remain loyal to the party even if his nomination for its presidential bid is rejected, won a lopsided 42–5 victory over Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando during the secret balloting that followed a 35-minute panel interview conducted by the highest governing body of the party.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, party vice chairman, was the “preferred” choice to run as vice president.

Although she was not involved in the selection process, President Arroyo will rally behind Teodoro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

A total 52 key party officials headed by Ermita, party president, attended the meeting held a day before the party was to present itself to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to defend its bid for accreditation as a political party.

But former President Fidel V. Ramos was a no-show at the historic selection of Teodoro as the administration’s official standard bearer in next year’s elections.

Ramos, who has opposed the merger of Lakas and Kampi due to lack of consultations among party members, did not attend the crucial meeting of the party’s national executive committee held in EDSA Shangrila Hotel.

Heeding a legal advice coming from Speaker Prospero Nograles, the party made clear that the candidacies of Teodoro and Puno remain unofficial and will be subjected to ratification by a national convention by the party “in accordance with law.”

Prior to the election, Nograles reminded the body of a Supreme Court ruling against premature announcement of official candidates.

“Subject to ratification, by a national convention to be called by the Party in accordance with law, the candidate fo Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2010 presidential election, as endorsed by the Party’s National Executive Committee is the Honorable Gilbert C. Teodoro,” party secretary general and presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio declared.

Claudio said both Teodoro and Fernando were able to articulate before their colleagues their respective “vision of government and aspirations for the country as well as their credentials and justifications for seeking” the presidency.

“The encounter validated what our party leaders had known and acknowledged from the start: the two gentlemen are both outstanding in their qualities as leaders, their experience and accomplishments in their respective fields of endeavor, and the genuineness and profundity of their dedication to the cause of our nation,” said Claudio in an official party statement.

Right from the start of their presentation as nominees, Teodoro appeared to have been clearer choice over Fernando, having received a louder applause for articulating a clearer program of government.

During the Q and A, Teodoro again scored big for declaring that he would remain a party loyalist even if his bid to seek the presidency is turned down by the party which he adopted barely three months ago.

When asked what he would do if he fails to win, Fernando, who boasted that he was Lakas-CMD member since its inception in 1991, said he will “keep his options open.”

House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor admitted that Teodoro was an easy choice of the NEC, adding that the defense chief presented a program of government that would be best for the country.

“I think Secretary Teodoro will also be the hands down winner even if Vice President Noli De Castro had decided to join the party nomination process,” admitted Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay in an interview.

When presented to the body, Teodoro said joining Lakas-KAMPI-CMD was the “next logical step in order to serve my country in the best way possible.”

Teodoro, who was formerly secretary general of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said the party pushes for “a vision of social justice, people empowerment, sustainable development” and upholds the dignity and individuality of man.

“It is these principles that we have to bring forward to our people in order for us to create a new Philippines, a strong Philippines” and not only which will give the best to Filipinos but which will be a leader in this part of the world,” he said.

Fernando reiterated that he is keeping his options open and may possibly run as an independent candidate or bolt out of the party.

Meanwhile, Vice President Noli de Castro feared running for the presidency in the 2010 elections under the Arroyo administration’s banner because an endorsement by President Arroyo would certainly be a ‘’kiss of death,’’ a reliable source told the Bulletin.

The source said De Castro might instead run for reelection under the Nacionalista Party (NP) whose president, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., is determined to seek the presidency.

The revelation by this source coincided with reporters’ interview with De Castro who said he might seek a reelection instead and that he is no longer running under Lakas-CMD-Kampi.

In a related development, the United Opposition (UNO) doubted if the “much-vaunted” political machinery of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party can deliver votes for Teodoro as the administration’s anointed presidential bet.

UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the widespread public dissatisfaction over President Arroyo’s eight-year rule will constitute a “kiss of death” for her anointed successor.

“The machinery is useless in the face of widespread dissatisfaction over Mrs. Arroyo. Only a miracle will save the administration candidate from certain defeat,” he said. (With reports from Mario Casayuran, Genalyn Kabiling, Kris Bayos, and Madelynne Dominguez)