SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan – Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III Tuesday declined to give his cousin, former defense secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., unsolicited advice about the alleged disarray in the Lakas-Kampi CMD party.

The Liberal Party standard bearer, however, said he gladly welcomes Teodoro, one of his rivals to the presidency, to the group composed of people who was allegedly betrayed by the Arroyo administration.

Earlier, Teodoro claimed that the need to focus on his own presidential campaign prompted him to resign as Lakas-Kampi chairman. But political observers and the rest of LP stalwarts said Teodoro's decision came after a number of known Palace allies chose to support Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party over him.

"I think the possibility had already crossed his mind way before it happened. He is perhaps the latest addition to the growing number of the victims of the current administration. All I can say to him is 'welcome to the club,'" Aquino said.

The 50-year-old lawmaker from Tarlac also said he prefers to wait for Teodoro to ask him for an advice instead of initiating and be questioned for his agenda.

"He must still be hurting and let's be sensitive about it so I'd rather wait for him to approach me than give him an unsolicited advice," he said.

Aquino was with his running mate, Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, and LP senatorial bets Franklin Drilon and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel in visiting Tuesday the towns of Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel in this province.