Out of 34 municipal and city mayors from Batangas province, 29 of them are endorsing the candidacy of Lakas Kampi CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

This was announced by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita when Teodoro, who served as defense secretary in the Arroyo cabinet for two years, visited Batangas City to attend a forum attended by more than 300 supporters.

“I know all of you (people present in the forum) are good in mathematics during your time in school. If ‘Gibo’ has the support of 29 out of 34 mayors in Batangas, then how can we lose,” Ermita said.

“If we lose badly in Batangas, then we better hung ourselves to the nearest tree,” Ermita joked, eliciting thunderous laughter from the crowd,” he added. Ermita is gunning for the congressional seat in Batangas’ first district.

Accompanied by his wife, Rep. Nikki Prieto-Teodoro of Tarlac’s first district, Ermita described Gibo as among the most respected member of the Arroyo Cabinet.

“His (Teodoro’s) excellent leadership skills and unblemished record in public and private life make him one of the best candidates for the presidency,” he pointed out.

As this developed, the members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Batangas headed by Armand Sanchez have pledged their full support to Teodoro’s presidential bid in the May elections.