MANILA, Philippines ? Officials of the administration's Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) belied Thursday reports of mass defection by its members, saying they have more recruits.

Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, member of the party's national advisory council, said Senate Juan Miguel Zubiri made an inaccurate assessment when he claimed that 30 to 40 percent had left the party to join other political groups.

"I think that's not an accurate assessment. I think it's much, much less than that," said Puno before the party's national convention at the Philippine International Convention Center.

"You know, a lot of people have transferred to us also...So far sa tingin ko, tabla-tablahan pa lang [in my opinion, we?re all on even ground]. Kung ilan ang umalis bakas mas marami pa ang pumasok [If more have left, more have joined us]," he said.

Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo also belied Zubiri's claim, noting the number of incumbent officials who showed up at the convention to give their support for the party's standard-bearer, Gilbert Teodoro.

"Kita mo naman mga tao dito. Lahat nakaupo, may [Look at all the people here, everyone is seated, everyone has a] mandate. At saka lahat dito matatag, hindi palipat-lipat [And everyone here is firm, not flighty]," said Arroyo, eldest son of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The young Arroyo also denied Zubiri's claim that many were leaving the administration because of Teodoro's slim chance of winning the presidency in 2010.

"Hindi alam [They don?t know]. I don't feel that e. Siyempre, sa mga ayaw kay Gibo [Teodoro's nickname] yun ang sinasabi nila pero kaming para kay Gibo, siya ay mananalo at siya ang pinakamagaling na kandidato [Of course, those who don?t like Gibo, which is what they?re saying. But for us who are for Gibo, we believe that he will win and that he is the best candidate]," he further said.