The ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD rebounded from losing some of its senior Metro Manila members to the Liberal Party when it snarled former Miss Universe Margarita Roxas Moran as its gubernatorial bet in Davao del Norte.

The 1973 Miss Universe is a granddaughter of the late President Manuel Roxas and cousin of LP vice presidential bet, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas III.

Requesting anonymity, a Lakas-Kampi official disclosed that Moran is set to challenge her estranged husband’s uncle, incumbent Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, who recently bolted Lakas-Kampi to join LP.

The former beauty titlist was married to former Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo, who has an ongoing political grudge with Del Rosario.

However, Lakas-Kampi spokesman Rep. Anton Lagdameo, a cousin of Floirendo, did not confirm the reported decision of Moran to challenge Del Rosario.

“Wala pang final. Inaayos pa namin ang lineup,” said Lagdameo, who replaced his cousin as Davao del Norte lawmaker.

The source said the Davao del Norte chapter of Lakas-Kampi is expected to field a “complete and strong slate in the provinces to be headed by Margie and Anton (Lagdameo).”

The administration party official also brushed aside claims that Lakas-Kampi is suffering from mass defections to either the LP or the Nacionalista Party, saying 70 percent of incumbent local government officials still belong to the ruling party.

Moran’s entry into Lakas-Kampi makes up for the dominant party’s membership loses in Metro Manila last week.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echieverri were among the former administration party stalwarts who abandoned the party to support the national campaign of LP presidential bet, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Earlier, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos and her husband, former NEDA Secretary General Ralph Recto, also bolted the ruling party to join the LP.