http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100324-260501/Teodoro-on-Zubiri-defection-Expected
MANILA, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Tuesday expressed no surprise at Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri’s defection to the rival Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.
“At the start he was already wavering so we expected that... he had been blowing hot and cold,” Teodoro told reporters in Calumpang, Marikina City, where he addressed a crowd of youth supporters.
Zubiri, Lakas chair for Bukidnon, 20 town mayors and two city mayors endorsed Villar for president after the latter spoke at the 12th Charter Day celebration of Malaybalay City on Monday.
Asked if this would result in his expulsion of Zubiri from the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Teodoro, the party chair, said “appropriate measures” would be taken.
“I believe there are calls for that (expulsion),” he said.
Teodoro, however, was confident of continuing support from Zubiri’s sons, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and Bukidnon Rep. Jose Ma. Zubiri III, pointing out that they went a long way back in the House of Representatives.
“The father has his own mind, the children have their own minds,” Teodoro said.
Miguel Zubiri, Lakas’ vice president for Mindanao, Tuesday apologized to his party mates for his father’s defection.
He said he and his brother remained loyal to the party and would continue to support Teodoro’s presidential bid.
“I apologize to my party mates for what happened to our group in Bukidnon but, nevertheless, Rep. Candido Pancrudo, Rep. Joey Zubiri and myself stay committed to Gibo,” he said in a statement.
The younger Zubiri said he had “long and intense” arguments with his father about his decision to back Villar, “but in the end he does what he wants.”
“My father has his own mind. Everyone who knows him can attest to that,” he said.
“I am not my father’s keeper and in politics we very much differ,” he added.
And in order to prevent from being “misconstrued as playing it safe” or “dipping his oar in two rivers,” Zubiri said he would take a back seat from the campaign and “just concentrate on taking care of my wife who is about to give birth to our son in April.”
While Lakas may have lost the elder Zubiri, 51 governors belonging to the League of Provinces of the Philippines have declared their support for Teodoro, according to a press release from the party.
On Monday, courting voters in Manila’s Parola slum, Teodoro promised to continue President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s P500-financial subsidy to poor families if he wins.
“We will continue the Pantawid Gutom program, at isama na natin ang (and let’s include) livelihood,” Teodoro said at a rally at Parola’s Gate 54 compound.
MANILA, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Tuesday expressed no surprise at Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri’s defection to the rival Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.
“At the start he was already wavering so we expected that... he had been blowing hot and cold,” Teodoro told reporters in Calumpang, Marikina City, where he addressed a crowd of youth supporters.
Zubiri, Lakas chair for Bukidnon, 20 town mayors and two city mayors endorsed Villar for president after the latter spoke at the 12th Charter Day celebration of Malaybalay City on Monday.
Asked if this would result in his expulsion of Zubiri from the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Teodoro, the party chair, said “appropriate measures” would be taken.
“I believe there are calls for that (expulsion),” he said.
Teodoro, however, was confident of continuing support from Zubiri’s sons, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and Bukidnon Rep. Jose Ma. Zubiri III, pointing out that they went a long way back in the House of Representatives.
“The father has his own mind, the children have their own minds,” Teodoro said.
Miguel Zubiri, Lakas’ vice president for Mindanao, Tuesday apologized to his party mates for his father’s defection.
He said he and his brother remained loyal to the party and would continue to support Teodoro’s presidential bid.
“I apologize to my party mates for what happened to our group in Bukidnon but, nevertheless, Rep. Candido Pancrudo, Rep. Joey Zubiri and myself stay committed to Gibo,” he said in a statement.
The younger Zubiri said he had “long and intense” arguments with his father about his decision to back Villar, “but in the end he does what he wants.”
“My father has his own mind. Everyone who knows him can attest to that,” he said.
“I am not my father’s keeper and in politics we very much differ,” he added.
And in order to prevent from being “misconstrued as playing it safe” or “dipping his oar in two rivers,” Zubiri said he would take a back seat from the campaign and “just concentrate on taking care of my wife who is about to give birth to our son in April.”
While Lakas may have lost the elder Zubiri, 51 governors belonging to the League of Provinces of the Philippines have declared their support for Teodoro, according to a press release from the party.
On Monday, courting voters in Manila’s Parola slum, Teodoro promised to continue President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s P500-financial subsidy to poor families if he wins.
“We will continue the Pantawid Gutom program, at isama na natin ang (and let’s include) livelihood,” Teodoro said at a rally at Parola’s Gate 54 compound.
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