Malacañang said Saturday its respects the decision of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando to resign from the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, even as it assured it already has replacements ready for Cabinet members who vacate their posts to run in the 2010 polls.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Palace understands why Fernando left the party.

"I hold our friend in a very high esteem. Hindi matatawaran ang record ni Secretary Fernando as a public servant. Intindihin na lang natin ang paghihimutok at hinanakit niya sa Lakas (the record of  Fernando cannot be questioned. Let us understand his misgivings)," Remonde said in a radio interview. "Let us just understand the ‘tampo’ of our friend," he said.

Fernando loyal Lakas member since 1992, left the administration coalition to pursue his 2010 presidential bid as an independent candidate.

He noted that the mass exodus of Lakas party mates signified the ruling slate was already dissolved.

Remonde said the Palace has already identified Fernando's successor, who is deeply involved with the MMDA, but declined to name him.

He assured that the Palace has "deep bench" for replacing Cabinet members running in May 2010. "Lahat ng mababakante na puwesto ay handa na," he said.

Last Friday, deputy presidential spokesman and Press Undersecretary Anthony Golez resigned to run for a congressional seat to represent Bacolod City in the May 2010 elections under the banner of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Remonde also expressed preference for deputy presidential spokeswoman

Lorelei Fajardo to assume the post vacated by Golez. "Kinausap ko na po si deputy presidential spokesperson Reli Fajardo pero kandidato rin kasi siya sa mga ibang mga departamento... pero sabi ko sa kanya I would rather that she will be with me," he said.