MANILA, Philippines ? After lying low for several weeks, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Wednesday reaffirmed his intention to run for president in 2010.

?It?s a go. I?m decided and will not back down,? Fernando said in a statement.

However, Fernando kept mum on how he will run and under what party, saying that, ?It is only after the MMDA finishes its cleanup and restoration activities for typhoon Ondoy that I can have time for politics.?

Fernando laid low after several members of the administration party, the Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats, expressed their support for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Fernando said he has yet to decide if he would stay in the Lakas-Kampi party. He said running as an independent candidate was an ?option? he would consider.

The MMDA chief said he is currently using his time to focus on the clean-up and restoration of Marikina City, one of those hardest hit by the typhoon. The MMDA is also concentrating on restoration activities in the cities of Pasig and Taguig.

Once he files for his certificate of candidacy, Fernando said he will immediately resign from the MMDA.