Rep. Monica 'Nikki' Prieto-Teodoro (1st District, Tarlac), wife of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., waves to well-wishers, before she boarded a plane at the Silay Airport. (Photo by ARIS R. ILAGAN)

BACOLOD CITY – Win or lose in the May 10 elections, Rep. Monica “Nikki” Prieto Teodoro (1st District, Tarlac) on Saturday expressed belief that her husband, Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., will leave an indelible mark in the country’s political history by pushing for "New Politics" that veered away from mudslinging and vote-buying despite the obstacles in his quest for the presidency.

Nikki said she admires her husband for believing that a candidate should adhere to the principle that “election money” is not the main ingredient for his victory in order to reform the country’s political system.

“He (Gibo) doesn’t hit you even if he is tired. Nakangiti lang siya (He just smiles),” Nikki said in an interview before taking a boarding a plane for Manila last Friday night.

The former commercial model accompanied Teodoro in his campaign sorties in this city and different towns of Negros Occidental where they received a rousing welcome from different local officials belonging to the Lakas-Kampi CMD and thousands of supporters.

Unmindful of the scorching summer heat, Nikki, clad in black shirt with markings “Misis ni Gibo” and denim pants, distributed “Gibo” baller IDs, t-shirts, posters and fans to residents who lined up in the streets to have a closer look at the 45-year-old administration candidate.

While presidential contenders Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar of the Nacionalista Party are busy engaging in political mudslinging, Teodoro and his senatorial team remained unaffected and focused on the campaign trail with 28 days remaining before May 10.

Always cheerful and smiling, Nikki stood close to Teodoro to wipe off sweat from his face or to hand bottled water as they pass through the crowded streets of Bacolod. Aside from the good looks of Teodoro and his vice-presidential tandem Edu Manzano, Nikki's mestiza looks charmed the Negrenses who waited for hours just to see them in person.

“It is painful because I can see that he is trying so hard and he really wants ‘new politics’. He wants a clean politics so that the next generation has a better chance (in their future),” she added.

On the issue of lack of funds being infused by the Laka-Kampi-CMD for Teodoro’s campaign, Nikki said that with or without financial support, her husband will pursue his candidacy without hearing any grievance from him.

Nikki said that she was hurt when people thought that Teodoro recently resigned as chairman of Lakas-Kampi CMD mainly because of the issue of campaign funds although the former defense chief had released an official statement that his decision to relinquish his post was made to allow him to focus his attention on his campaign trail to improve his survey ratings.

“He doesn’t do anything to stand up (and) defend himself. For him, it is game of politics at the end of the day and he wants to change it event thought at his expense,” Mrs. Teodoro added.

Nonetheless, Nikki said that she was overwhelmed by the huge crowd that welcomed them in “Sugarlandia.”

To keep the family ties close amid Teodoro’s busy campaign schedule, the Teodoro couple tagged along their 11-year-old son, Jaime Gilberto, in the Negros Occidental sortie.

In protecting the private side of their family while in the midst of the political battle, Nikki would not allow Jaime to be interviewed by media. “We are a happy family. Less talk, less mistake,” she said with a smile.