MANILA, Philippines?Top officials of the merged Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) will get down to work in drawing up guidelines for choosing national and local candidates when they meet today.

The first meeting of the members of the national executive committee is slated 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Annabel?s restaurant in Quezon City.

At the center of the discussion would be the fate of Vice President Noli de Castro, the possible presidential contender being eyed by the administration.

De Castro has yet to decide if he would join the party or remain independent until the May 2010 election.

Ray Roquero, Lakas-Kampi-CMD deputy secretary general, said Lakas-Kampi will also have to decide if De Castro would be required to be a member of the party or can be adopted as guest candidate.

Another contender, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who has announced his plans to seek the presidency, will take his oath in the party after it has officially registered in the Commission on Elections, Roquero added.

The executive committee will formulate the guidelines for the establishment of the party?s local chapters and the selection of their heads. It will also create an arbitration and reconciliation committee that will resolve conflicts in the local level.

The national executive committee is headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as chairperson. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is president. The committee has 64 interim officers handpicked by Arroyo.