Backed by at least 85 congressmen and nearly 40 governors, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is expected to be declared official candidate of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD coalition for the 2010 presidential elections Wednesday.

Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando are expected to vie for nomination as standard bearer when the party’s 64-man National Executive Committee meets Wednesday at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel.

However, the defense chief appeared to have an edge in the nomination after he shared breakfast with nearly 100 congressmen representing Lakas-Kampi-CMD and several party-list organizations in Quezon City Tuesday morning.

Party officials led by Speaker Prospero Nograles have given up hopes of recruiting Vice President Noli de Castro to join the race for the party’s official bet for 2010.

“If he wants to get a job, he has to fill up and submit an application form,” Nograles said, pointing out that De Castro must first become a member of the party before he can be nominated as standard bearer.

A Bar topnotcher and considered the brightest among the members of the Arroyo Cabinet, Teodoro may soon find himself pitted against his cousin, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, in the presidential race. Both started their political careers as Tarlac congressmen.

Teodoro was quick to point out that the rivalry between him and Aquino will not descend into a personal grudge match as reporters noted that their respective families have been politically estranged for a long time.

Teodoro however dismissed Aquino’s campaign line that the 2010 elections will be a fight between good and evil, stressing that it is still the country’s future and the track record of accomplishments that count.

Also expected to join the presidential race is Sen. Francis Escudero, who is reportedly being backed by businessman and Nationalist People’s Coalition founder, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, himself a former Tarlac solon and an uncle of both Aquino and Teodoro.

“There is a possibility that Tarlac will be divided, but I am sure our people will support the candidate whom they believe will be right for our country,” said current Tarlac Rep. Jose Yap, who attended yesterday’s breakfast meeting with Teodoro.

Led by Nograles and Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, 84 congressmen present during the breakfast meeting signed the “Manifesto of Endorsement and Support” for Teodoro’s presidential bid.

At least 30 of those who signed the manifesto are members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee.

Last week, some 50 governors adopted a resolution supporting Teodoro.

About 20 of them are voting members of the Lakas-Kampi NEC.

Teodoro did not categorically announce he has the Lakas-Kampi nomination in the bag but nevertheless vowed to immediately strengthen the organizational structure of the party, especially the grassroots level, to prepare them for political battle.

Conspicuously absent Tuesday were Reps. Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga and Diosdado Arroyo of Camarines Sur, sons of President Arroyo.

Their uncle, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, signed the pro-Teodoro manifesto.

“We are gathered today because we believe that as congressmen we have the right to choose the party’s official candidate,” said Magsaysay.

Meanwhile, Fernando said he is considering to pursue his presidential bid even without party endorsement.

However, Fernando said he remains confident that he will be the one selected by the ruling coalition as its standard bearer based from his track record in governance.

"The selection will define the character and by this, I will assess the worth of this party," said Fernando during a press conference at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

"If they want a winner, they have it in my person," he added.

Meanwhile, assuming that the Lakas-Kampi-CMD will opt for Teodoro, the ruling party is likely to select a vice presidential candidate from the South.

“It is only fair and practical that Visayas and Mindanao be represented in the country’s top leadership. In this case, if Secretary Teodoro, who is from Tarlac, becomes the party’s presidential bet then somebody from the South should be his running mate. That has always been the case,” the source, a congressman from Luzon, said. (With reports from Willie L. Catapat and Mar T. Supnad)