MANILA, Philippines — He’s off to a fiery start.

In an oath-taking briefly interrupted by an accidental fire, Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Friday took the first step toward clinching the administration’s endorsement as its presidential standard-bearer in the May 2010 elections.

Teodoro, who is hoping to become the second defense chief to occupy the country’s highest post, took his oath as member of the ruling Lakas-Kampi CMD before Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita at the party’s headquarters in EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue).

The oath-taking was austere and took place inside a cramped conference room that left party leaders and guests sweating.

“Nothing can ever describe what I’m feeling right now because of the warm welcome you have shown me,” he later told party officials and members, eliciting muffled comments that this must be due to the warm room temperature.

‘Inadequate facilities’

Gabriel Claudio, party secretary general, tried to make light of the “inadequate facilities” as he spelled out the significance of the event.

“Today is a very auspicious one as we welcome him into our ranks. With the entry of Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, it signals our party getting into high gear in our preparations for the elections of 2010 as well as putting into high gear and putting to the finishing touches to the selection process,” he said.

But the party is not yet closing the doors to party and non-party members, including Vice President Noli de Castro, according to Claudio.

In an interview with reporters, Teodoro said he would respect and support the decision of his party if ever it opted not to choose him as its standard bearer.

“I have to support the party decision, whatever that is,” he said.

Teodoro, who visited the tomb of his father at the Libingan ng mga Bayani before the oath-taking, was accompanied by his wife Rep. Monica “Nikki” Prieto-Teodoro, son Jaime and mother Ditas.

Prieto-Teodoro later took her oath as Lakas CMD member.

Lakas-Kampi members lavished praises on the 44-year-old Defense Secretary as a “leader of the new generation” who, despite lagging behind in the survey, boasted of excellent academic achievements being a bar topnotcher and a Harvard graduate.

In his speech, Ermita said Teodoro’s oath-taking was just the first step of his journey with the party. He said he made the right decision.

Midway through his speech, a food burner toppled over the buffet table as TV crews jostled for good position, setting the table cloth on fire and creating a commotion. But it was put out in minutes.

No burned bridges

Teodoro said he joined the party because he believed in its principles.

“I did not just join a party but a movement ... we are in a movement now where we have the power and opportunity to collectively seek true reforms and peace in our country,” said Teodoro in a speech at the Club Filipino in San Juan City after the oath-taking.

Teodoro had earlier bolted the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of his uncle, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

But Teodoro claimed that he has not burned his bridges with his uncle.

“A while ago, somebody asked me if I had burned any bridge, I replied that I have not burned any bridge, I only added a new bridge,” Teodoro said. NPC is a member of the rainbow coalition in the House led by Lakas-Kampi.

As a new member of the administration’s bloc, Teodoro vowed to commit himself to the “centrist humanist ideology,” taking no sides and implementing policies according to the interests of the majority.

He would also implement the principles of good governance by implementing sound institutions and putting sound people there as well.