President Arroyo praised Vice President Noli De Castro for having the timber of a “good president” but refused to preempt his political plans next year and the administration party’s selection process.

A day after De Castro announced that he has been talking with the administration to be its possible standard bearer, the President highlighted the leadership qualities of the Vice President and thanked him for appreciating the importance of the administration party.

Mrs. Arroyo, also chairman of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, said members of the party have already expressed support for De Castro as a potential standard bearer.

However, De Castro, in case he decides to join the administration party, must still go through the party’s selection process of national candidates, she said.

“I do not want to get ahead of Vice President Noli who said he is nearing a decision. But I do thank him for acknowledging the value of the administration party support and attesting to the earnest work that we do in the Cabinet as well as its significance on the job training for the presidency,” the President said in a statement read by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

“The party, the Cabinet and I regard Vice President De Castro as a leader imbued with decency, capability, dedication to public service and genuine sensitivity for the Filipino masses that will make him a good president,” she added.