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Teodoro leaves NPC

MR. EXPOSE

Amb. Ernesto Maceda

03/20/2009

In a visit to the Philippine Star editorial offices, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro revealed that he had resigned from the National People’s Coalition (NPC), the party founded by his uncle, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. when he assumed the DND post.

The last two years, Gilbert has not been seen at NPC meetings and parties, including the last two Christmas parties.

This confirms the rumored falling out between uncle and nephew which is sad considering their close relationship in the past.

Teodoro confirmed during the Philippine Star visit that he is seriously in the fight for the nomination of Lakas/Kampi for president and that he is seeking GMA’s endorsement — an act of courage.

Teodoro’s decision to run with the administration gives a much needed boost to GMA’s hopes for a candidate that can give her protection once she leaves Malacañang.

But the last Pulse Asia Surveys for senators show Gilbert Teodoro in 50th place, drawing only 1.3 percent of the respondents. It’s a long way to getting at least 20 percent as a presidentiable. But who knows? We presume that a No. 1 Bar topnotcher/ Harvard Law School graduate has a plan that he feels can pull him up. One thing going for him, he speaks Ilocano well.

For political analysts, this is an interesting development to watch and to study.

Break up. The Lopez brothers of Meralco have broken up. Manuel Lopez, Meralco chairman, has confirmed that brother Oscar, head of Benpres and First Philippine Holdings sold the 20 percent of Meralco shares to Manny Pangilinan without even being informed. Gabby Lopez, the heir of Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. is running ABS-CBN independently without participation from his uncles.

Well, this is nothing new in super rich Philippine families. After the patriarch dies, the descendants start to fight.

Recall the big fight among the Madrigals and the Illusorios.

Money is the root of all evil.

Albader Parad scores. Indanan, Sulu Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad scored a tactical victory when he was able to get an agreement from the government to withdraw its forces from where they had now encircled Parad. Though they used the word repositioning, it’s still a government retreat. In the previous encounter with Parad, three Marines died and 19 were wounded.

After seven months, MILF commanders Umbra Kato, Bravo and Pangalian have not been arrested and are continuing attacks in Mindanao... Masiababai Silongan and her 11-year-old grandson Muhammed were wounded in a grenade blast in Piket, Cotabato, the second grenade explosion in one week.

It looks like GMA will not be able to score a final victory against both the Muslem secessionists and the NPA rebels before the 2010 deadline she announced. Military Commanders who have failed to do their job should not be automatically promoted.

Tidbits. Congratulations to Makati City and San Mateo, Isabela for being adjudged The Most Child-Friendly City and Town in ceremonies held in Malacañang. Congratulations Mayor Jojo Binay and Mayor Roberto Agcaoili... President Erap will attend the National Rodeo Open in Masbate City tomorrow... In the latest Pulse Asia survey, President Erap received a majority vote of 51percent in approval rating. The only other personality to receive a majority rating of over 50 percent is Vice President Noli de Castro... Rep. Bart Belmonte (PMP) Lanao del Norte 1st district is preparing for a return bout with Imelda Dimaporo... Gen. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is running for Congress in the 2nd district of Zambales... Gen. Rodolfo Diaz is running for mayor of Binmaley, Pangasinan... Gen. Alberto Braganza has given up on running for office in the 1st district of Pangasinan... The seven-year-old Expedition which Celso de los Angeles bought from SEC Commissioner Jesus Martinez for P1,475,000 had a market value of P475,000 according to Ford car dealers... I wonder how much was the real value of the Mitsubishi Pajero which Legacy bought from Commissioner Alejandro Barin, the husband of SEC Chairman Fe Barin... The wife of Celso de los Angeles returned P90 million worth of real estate properties belonging to Celso de los Angeles to the SEC... Peza Director General Lilia de Lima gave us a box of malunggay tea, the latest craze as a health drink in Japan. Maybe Philippine tea manufacturers should follow the Japanese. Lilia de Lima is one of the very few government officials who have not been tainted with corruption... It’s not surprising that DPWH and PNP came out in the Pulse Asia survey as the two most corrupt agencies in government. There’s a lot of corruption too, in government financial institutions. CoA audit reports say so... Liberal Party secretary general Butch Abad told LP congressmen that Sen. Mar Roxas will wait for the June survey results before he makes a final decision on whether to run for president in 2010. Abad said that Senator Roxas wants to improve his present single digit rating to at least 12 percent as a basis for deciding to run. Senator Roxas is a sure winner if he decides to run for senator again.