Political leaders from Northern Luzon have pledged a peaceful campaign and election next year, closing ranks in a show of support for administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

“As responsible leaders, we have pledged to Teodoro that no act of election-related violence will take place in Abra these elections,” Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin said in a statement released by the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Bersamin joined other prominent leaders from Northern Luzon in supporting the administration standard-bearer, whose presidential candidacy has sparked excitement and interest in the Ilocano-speaking provinces known as the “Solid North.”

Earlier, Teodoro won the backing of most local leaders in Cagayan, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte.

The local leaders and executives of Abra pledged to deliver more than 50 percent of the province’s votes, Bersamin said.

Abra, one of the 10 provinces in the country considered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as election hot spots, has about 150,000 voters according to the latest data from the Commission on Elections.

Bersamin said support for Teodoro has been strengthened by his solid platform of governance with its emphasis on more development projects in rural Philippines such as roads, bridges, ports, airfields, and schools to spark countryside economic development.

“Secretary Teodoro knows fully well that developed rural communities are the backbone of a strong national economy,” he said.

“His (Teodoro’s) educational and professional qualifications stand out from the rest of the presidential aspirants” he added. “Being topnotcher in the 1989 Philippine Bar Examination, passing the New York Bar Associations in 1997, and being the youngest Defense Chief (43 years-old at the time of his appointment in 2007) and most competent defense secretary ever appointed to the DND speak well of his leadership and management skills.”

Teodoro also earned praises for his bold and decisive action following the Maguindanao massacre. He moved for the immediate disarming of the suspected perpetrators and won unanimous support from the ruling party’s executive committee for his initiative expelling key members of the Ampatuan clan from the administration party for failing to keep up to ideals.

Bersamin said the country would be “in good hands with Gibo at the helm.”

In a recent visit to Tuguegarao City, Teodoro was described by Cagayan Gov. Alfaro “Boy” Antonio as the country’s “best hope” in the race to the presidency in the 2010 elections.

Earlier, the two dominant political clans in Isabela – the Dys and Albanos – threw their support behind Teodoro, while Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Keon led a major group of political leaders who took their party oath under the administration party and pledged support for Teodoro’s presidential bid.

Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate for governor, and his running-mate Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, said Teodoro’s accomplishment as a bar topnotcher and excellent record as a public servant will propel him to the presidency. Both lawmakers belong to the powerful political families in Isabela.

Keon, a relative of the Marcoses, and some of the most prominent political leaders of Ilocos Norte, upon taking their oath of membership, said Teodoro is “most deserving” to become president.