In a bid to strongly belie reports that key political allies in Cebu have jumped ship, the administration-backed Lakas-Kampi-CMD is ready to release the list of local officials supporting the presidential bid of its standard bearer, former defense chief Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

On the eve of Teodoro’s campaign schedule in Cebu, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and her brothers declared that they remain “Gibo loyalists”, together with majority of the mayors in the vote-rich province.

However, other key allies of the Arroyo administration have decided to abandon Teodoro’s cause, joining either Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno Aquino III or Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party. Arroyo ally, Rep. Antonio Cuenco was the latest to be pirated to the opposition camp.

In an interview, Cuenco said he would choose between Teodoro and Aquino but later admitted that the latter will get his support.

A close friend of the senators’ late parents, Cuenco said Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar and incumbent Mayor Tommy Osmena are backing Aquino.

On the other hand, mayoral bet Alvin Garcia has also abandoned Lakas-Kampi-CMD in favor of Villar.
“But Garcia has been beaten twice in Cebu City, I don’t think he can secure a Villar victory here. The city will go 70 percent for Noynoy,” said Cuenco in a telephone interview.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD declared Teodoro remains the top choice of local officials in the province.

Teodoro said he was personally reassured by Garcia of her firm commitment to support him as Cebu’s presidential bet in the May 2010 elections.

“In-assure ako ni Governor Gwen Garcia na siya at majority of the mayors, if not all, ay maiiwan po sa atin (I was assured by Gov. Gwen Garcia that she and majority of the mayors will remain with us,”  Gibo said in a radio interview in response to reports about the recent move of former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia to support one of his rivals in the presidential race.

Cuenco confirmed that except the former city mayor, the Garcia family has not wavered in their support of Teodoro.

Gov. Garcia, is among the 51 governors who have recently signed a manifesto of support committing to campaign for, and back Gibo, as their presidential candidate in the May 10 national polls. “We stand by that commitment. Nothing has changed and nothing will change,” Garcia was quoted in a newspaper interview.

Besides Garcia, the pro-Teodoro manifesto was also signed by, among others, Governors Amado Espino of Pangasinan, Isidro Zayco of Negros Occidental, Teresita Lazaro of Laguna and Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija, Michael Keon of Ilocos Norte; Deogracias Victor Savellano of Ilocos Sur; Casimiro Ynares III of Rizal; Joey Salceda of Albay; Jesus Typoco Jr. of Camarines Norte; Sally Ante Lee of Sorsogon; Erico Aumentado of Bohol; Salvacion Zaldivar Perez of Antique, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar and Miguel Dominguez of Sarangani.

In their statement of support, the governors said their decision to back Gibo was reached after careful consideration of the track record, qualifications and platform of government of each of the presidential bets in this year’s national balloting.