Gibo not bothered by low survey rating, says no way to go but up

MANILA, Philippines - Undaunted by his poor rating at the latest Pulse Asia presidential survey that was dominated by his cousin Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, resigned Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there is no way to go but up.

“It’s not that high because you could not just automatically go to grade seven unless you pass through grade one. So let’s wait,” Teodoro said in Filipino, adding that his two percent approval rating will improve in the days ahead prior to the conduct of elections next year.

However, Teodoro’s two percent was enough to overtake Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, who has not given up his plan to run for president despite his measly one percent approval rating.

Teodoro said he will start going around the country for public exposure where he will lay down his political platforms and agenda of good governance.

He was with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in Batangas yesterday afternoon to meet with provincial and local leaders.

Malacañang was also unfazed by his poor showing in the latest Pulse Asia survey, saying his ratings would pick up once he begins his provincial sorties.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said Teodoro’s “only problem is his lack of exposure and people’s awareness of him.”

“This (lack of exposure) is mainly due to his sense of propriety and inhibition not to project himself as a candidate and a politician while still secretary of national defense,” Claudio said.

“He even refused to take advantage of the recent calamities to gain publicity and media mileage,” he said.

Teodoro resigned yesterday morning as defense secretary to pursue his presidential bid under the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD. He will be proclaimed as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential standard-bearer along with his running mate, actor turned politician Edu Manzano, during the party’s national convention on Thursday.

Now that he has stepped down as defense chief, the administration expects Teodoro to be able to maximize his exposure as a political contender.

“Once seen and heard by people, Gibo has no problem connecting with them and impressing them as the best, brightest, and most qualified among the presidentiables,” Claudio said.

Passing the DND torch

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales has taken over Teodoro’s post in an acting capacity for the remaining seven months of the Arroyo administration.

In turnover rites presided by Ermita held at the Camp Aguinaldo’s Officers Clubhouse, Teodoro was conferred with a degree of Grand Commander, an award given by President Arroyo for his sterling leadership of the defense department for more than two years.

As defense chief, the administration bet also chairs the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in a concurrent capacity.

“Thank you each and everyone of you. My being the defense chief was some of the best times of my life,” Teodoro said in his farewell speech.

For his part, Gonzales said he expects that he can do good things at the department in the next seven months, adding that he did not think twice when Ermita called him and offered him the post.

“Perhaps we can do things in the last two minutes,” said Gonzales whose new assignment was criticized by cause-oriented groups and other sectors.

“Expect exciting things to happen at defense department under the leadership of Secretary Gonzales,” Ermita said. 

All eyes on Gonzales

But Sen. Rodolfo Biazon was not too keen on Gonzales’ appointment.

The former Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief urged the military and the police to be vigilant against possible moves by the new DND chief to exert his influence in propagating his personal advocacy on change of government.

“The soldiers of our republic must be aware of their constitutional duty,” Biazon said, raising three crucial issues against Gonzales, who had been very vocal on the need for change in the form of government that can only be attained through a revolution to be led by the AFP.

“Now, I’m therefore asking the AFP to be wary and to clearly understand their mandate under the Constitution, that is to defend the Constitution, be careful about receiving orders from Secretary Gonzales,” he said.

Biazon is also concerned over Gonzales’ previous statements on a no-election scenario, urging the public to be vigilant.

“The appointee may not be submitted by the Executive to the Commission on Appointments process leaving the floor of the Senate and the budget deliberation as the venue for legislative oversight,” he added.   – With Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero