MANILA, Philippines ? The administration party Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) will select its standard-bearer only from its members, refuting reports that it is now negotiating with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

?The report is misguided and without basis. Only a bonafide member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD can qualify to become its standard-bearer,? presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said in a text message.

Claudio reiterated that aspirants for the presidency have only until September 15 to join the party, including Vice President Noli de Castro. He said the party would announce its standard-bearer on September 16.

Claudio, Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary general, was reacting to reports quoting Quezon City Representative Matias Defensor that there was a high possibility that Villar would be adopted as the ruling administration party based on conversations among members.

Defensor also said that based on his ?impression? from their discussions, it was Villar who emerged on top in an informal poll among Lakas-Kampi members done two weeks ago.

Claudio said ?nobody was ever authorized by the party leadership to negotiate with Senator Villar, much less offer the administration coalition?s support to him.?

He also branded as false Defensor?s claim that Villar won in the straw vote. He said a straw vote was conducted among those who attended the national executive committee meeting on August 20, but said they agreed that the results would only be shown to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the merged party?s chairman through him.

He said he reported the results of the straw vote to the President and some members of the executive committee on August 26.

?The candidate who gained the highest support was clearly an existing member of the party,? he said, without naming the candidate.