BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Although he belonged to the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said his loyalty belonged to President Macapagal-Arroyo.

"As secretary of National Defense, under the present administration, I felt that being the alter ego of the President and occupying the most sensitive department of the government, I owe utmost and full loyalty to the President alone," he said.

Teodoro has signified his intention to join the presidential race and has sought the President's endorsement.

In an interview with the local media before he was conferred a Doctor of Laws Degree at the West Negros University in Bacolod City, Teodoro said he felt he should be independent of all political controls and entities when he accepted the position as Defense Secretary.

Teodoro was a member of the NPC, which was founded by his uncle, businessman Eduardo Cojuangco.

Teodoro said his political bid would not be affected even if the NPC dropped his name from its list of possible standard-bearers in the 2010 presidential elections.

Asked if there was a rift between him and his uncle because of his decision to stick it out with President Arroyo, Teodoro said there was already a “paradigm shift” in their family with regards to politics.

"Before, politics and family were tied together. Now, we separate politics from family affairs," he explained.

The administration candidates in the presidential race have reportedly narrowed down to Teodoro and Vice President Noli de Castro.