MANILA, Philippines?Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has apologized for his father?s endorsement of Senator Manny Villar?s presidential bid.

Zubiri and his father, Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri, are both members of the administration?s Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, which is backing the presidential bid of former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

But the governor publicly endorsed the candidacy of Villar, the standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party.

?I apologize to my partymates on what had happened to our group in Bukidnon but nevertheless, Congressman (Candido) Pancrudo, Congressman Joey Zubiri, and myself, Senator Migs Zubiri, stay committed with Gibo,? the senator said in a statement on Tuesday.

Interviewed on a sortie in Marikina, Teodoro said the party will take ?appropriate measures? on Zubiri?s case, adding that there are now calls to immediately expel the governor.

?The party will not conduct a loyalty check, but the party will take appropriate measures,? he said.

Senator Zubiri said he had talked with his father and tried to convince him to stay in the party.

?My father has his own mind. Everyone who knows him can attest to that. We have argued long and intense with him on this decision but in the end, he does what he wants,? he said.

?I am not my father?s keeper and in politics, we very much differ,? he added.

Zubiri said he would continue supporting the candidacy of Teodoro and his slate.

?However, so that I may not be misconstrued as playing safe or ?namamangaka sa dalawang ilog,? I shall take a back seat from this campaign and just concentrate on taking care of my wife, who is about to give birth to my son this April,? he said.