BACOLOD CITY– Inspired by the renewed commitment of local executives belonging to the Lakas- Kampi CMD to push for his presidential bid following a series of political intrigues that rocked the ruling party, administration bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. visited many towns of Negros Occidental where he and his senatorial team were given a rousing welcome by large crowds of green-clad Negrenses.

Immediately after arriving at the Silay Airport near this city, Teodoro was welcomed by local kingpins of Lakas-Kampi-CMD led by Representatives Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, brother of First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, and Monico Puentevella.

Accompanied by a long convoy of supporters, Teodoro proceeded to the areas of Sipalay, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and went back to Bacolod City where the Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidates held a grand rally at the city proper.

Arroyo has expressed full support for Teodoro, who he described as the most qualified and most competent person to lead the country. “The entire Lakas machinery will work doubly hard to ensure Teodoro’s victory,” said Arroyo, who is running virtually unopposed in the province’s 5th district.

For his part, Puentevella expressed confidence that Teodoro would emerge as winner in Bacolod given his solid foothold among the voters in this capital city of Negros Occidental.

A day earlier, Pampanga Reps. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and Aurelio Gonzalez led more than 500 local officials from mayors to barangay captains in Pampanga in declaring their all-out support for Teodoro in a highly-charged political rally.

Lawyer Mike Toledo, Teodoro’s campaign spokesman, said the unequivocal support of ruling party leaders like Rep. “Mikey” Arroyo and his uncle, Rep. “Iggy” Arroyo, showed the full support of the First Family for Teodoro.

“The support of Mikey and his uncle Iggy plus the backing of party leaders in the President’s home province of Pampanga sends a loud and strong message that the First Family and the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD are standing four square behind Gibo in his quest for the presidency,” said Toledo, who is now Teodoro’s spokesman and director of the Gibo 2010 Media Bureau.

Mayors League pledged a “One Pampanga for Gibo”, vowing to deliver no less than 85 percent of the more than one million voters of the province for the former defense secretary, his running mate Edu Manzano along with their six senatorial bets.

In an interview with the media, Mikey Arroyo reiterated his family’s full support for Teodoro, adding that their commitment to him has never waivered.

“Even before the President issued her instruction for all Lakas-Kampi–CMD members to mount an aggressive campaign for Gibo and ensure his victory, we have been all out in our support for him,” said Arroyo.