Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. blamed Saturday the “indirect supervision” by Malacañang over local government units (LGUs) that allegedly bred corruption in the local level by giving the governors and mayors an opportunity to abuse their powers.

The 45-year-old Teodoro also stressed the need for the national government to closely monitor the local government units in exercising their powers in bid to eliminate abuses and involvement in anomalous activities by some local government executives.

Teodoro issued the statement in response to queries from students of the Saint Paul’s University in Manila on how to prevent similar abuses committed by a powerful political clan in Maguindanao that resulted to the killing of at least 57 persons, including 30 media personalities.

The former defense secretary was the only presidential candidate who personally showed up in Maguindanao to accompany Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu of Buluan town in filing his certificate of candidacy before a local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office amid the brewing tension in the area brought about by the massacre incident.

According to Teodoro, the national government must initiate a system of rewards for local government units (LGUs) excelling in programs that improve people’s lives while it must keep a close watch on local governance to eliminate basic corruption in government.

“We have to monitor the LGUs more closely and be more vigilant in monitoring the performance of local government officials," Teodoro added.

Clad in green shirt and denim pants, Gibo received a warm welcome from some 2,000 students upon their arrival at the school grounds.

According to Teodoro, the existing set up of grievance system in the national level to curb corruption in the local level has failed due to continued abuses by governors and mayors.

“We have to find another way, build up the area. We can pilot the worst (performing local governments) and reward those which excel for good performance,” he emphasized.