Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro should consider quitting the Cabinet as soon as possible so he could focus on promoting his presidential candidacy, a senior Palace official said on Thursday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it would prudent if Teodoro, who has lagged in opinion polls on potential presidential bets, would start touring the country to raise public awareness about his presidential bid.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD party national executive committee has endorsed Teodoro as its formidable presidential candidate during a meeting last Wednesday due to his integrity, intelligence, and track record. The consensus of the 64-man committee however will still undergo the ratification of the national convention next month.

“If I were the one to say when the right time (for Teodoro to quit the cabinet) is, it could be very well now,” Ermita told reporters shortly after the awarding of the 2009 outstanding public officials and employees in Malacañang.

“I think maybe the sooner the better so that he can move around and introduce himself and have the citizenry, the voters aware that he is the person preparing for the 2010 elections,” added Ermita, who also sits as president of Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

Ermita said Teodoro has disclosed plans to discuss his imminent departure from the cabinet with the President to facilitate a smooth transition.

“His post is very, very sensitive. It’s not just a matter of saying I am stepping down just like that. There should be some preparation so the President can choose his replacement,” he said.

Ermita however said government critics should not single out Teodoro in their speculations he would use his position to campaign, adding other government offficials are openly campaigning without resigning from their posts.