MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 3) Officials of the ruling coalition chose Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as their preferred standard-bearer for the May 2010 elections on Wednesday, a few hours after Vice President Noli De Castro categorically said he won’t be running under Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Although party executive director Rey Roquero refused to say how the voting went, a source said members of the party’s national executive committee voted 42-5 in favor of Teodoro.

However, party official Iloilo Representative Arthur Defensor said the choice was only an initial consensus. He said the final choice may be made in a convention.

Presidential political adviser and Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary general Gabriel Claudio said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno would be the vice president.

Teodoro emerged the ruling party’s standard-bearer after he and Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority presented their respective platforms of government before party officials at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

Fernando, a member of the national executive committee, was present during the voting, and Roque said he was civil during the proceedings.

Teodoro was not present in the voting, not being a member of the executive committee.

Earlier in the day, across the metropolis, the vice president announced that he was no longer running under the administration party.

“I am not a candidate anymore. That’s it,” De Castro said in an interview with reporters after an event at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

Asked if that meant he was no longer seeking the presidency, De Castro said, “No, I said I am not a candidate of the Lakas already.”

Pressed if he was still open to joining Lakas, he said, “Basta [That’s it] I’m not one of their candidates anymore.”

Asked if he was considering other political groups, “Ah wala akong sinasabing ganoon [I’m not saying that].”

The vice president refused to say what his political plans were.

Teodoro's endorsement was "subject to ratification by a national convention to be called by the party in accordance with the law," according to a statement read by Claudio after the voting.

Claudio said the committee also "expressed its preference" for Interior Secretary Puno as the party’s vice presidential candidate.

No other member has expressed to run for vice president.

A total of 42 committee members voted in favor of Teodoro, while 5 voted for Fernando, sources said. Four members who attended did not vote, including Fernando. One absent member sent his vote.

Of the 64-member committee, a total of 52 attended.

Earlier in the day, Teodoro and Fernando faced the committee members and answered questions on various issues.

"In the end, however, one man alone had to be chosen as standard bearer to lead the Party in the elections of 2010 and, with God's grace, to lead our country to its rightful place of dignity, unity, peace and prosperity," Claudio said in the statement.

Roquero, Lakas-Kampi deputy secretary general, said the party's national convention will be held sometime during the last week of October until November.

Teodoro's endorsement was forthcoming, happening a day after some 90 Lakas-Kampi congressmen met with him and expressed support for his nomination as the party's standard-bearer.

The announcement also came a day before the Commission on Election (Comelec) hears the petition of Pangasinan Representative Jose de Venecia Jr. to deny the Lakas-Kampi request for accreditation.

De Venecia was former president of Lakas-CMD.