Unfazed by his poor performance in opinion surveys, Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said Sunday that he will not change his political strategy in order to improve his survey standings in the near future to boost his chances of winning in the presidential race on May this year.

“I don’t need to change strategy. My strategy is my platform. My strategy is myself…take it or leave it!” the 45-year-old Teodoro said in an interview.

Since his formal declaration to seek the presidency in the May 2010 elections in November last year, Teodoro has yet to obtain a double digit survey rating as he tries to catch up with survey front liners Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

“Mahaba pa ang panahon. Malayo pa ang eleksyon (There is still plenty of time. The election is still far ahead),” he pointed out.

Other than attending numerous campus forums during the past two months, Teodoro has started visiting public markets in Metro Manila and the different provinces in a bid to get himself known more to the voters.

Aside from these, the Teodoro camp also conducted a motorcade in several areas where he was accorded warm welcome by local government officials who have openly declared their support for the administration bet.

Also, Teodoro — a bar topnotcher who earned a masters degree from Harvard law school — is also optimistic that the start of the campaign period on March 10 for candidates vying for local position will also boost his chances of winning the presidency.

Shortly after Teodoro declared his intention to seek the presidency, at least 738 mayors belonging to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines signed a manifesto during their general assembly at the Manila Hotel October 28 last year, endorsing his candidacy.

The local government executives cited Teodoro for his “brilliance, unquestioned honesty and integrity, excellent executive ability and experience, his profound grasp of the myriad and complex economic, political, social, environmental, governance and security issues facing our country and the global community.”

The former defense chief who served as three-time congressman of the third district of Tarlac province also expressed belief that the country’s 48 million voters will choose wisely on the May 2010 elections by giving more weight to the qualification, track record, and integrity of the candidates than mere popularity.

Monday, Teodoro’s group is slated to visit schools in the Manila’s university belt that include the Philippine Christian University (PCU), San Beda College, La Consolacion College and University of Manila.