MANILA, Philippines?It?s not a kiss of death for presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro, but a way to Nirvana.

Unfazed by public dissatisfaction with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the defense secretary remains hopeful that the economic gains her administration has made will make him a winner in the May elections.

Speaking with the Philippine Daily Inquirer in Monday?s celebration of the Eid al-Fitr in a Muslim village in Taguig City, Teodoro scoffed at opposition leaders who claimed that Ms Arroyo?s anointment would doom his chances.

?There will come a point when the public will already get to brush off this ?kiss of death? thing. It?s a politically expedient tactic right now. The more important thing is what you want to do for the country in the future,? he added.

Instead of shying away from Ms Arroyo?s shadow, Teodoro said he would make use of the achievements of her administration in pushing his platform of governance.

?The economic gains, the infrastructure programs, the spending programs and the Philippine educational road map definitely I will use some of that (in my campaign),? he said.

Teodoro, who emerged as the likely standard-bearer of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD during the meeting of the party?s executive council last week, said he was not bothered being identified with Ms Arroyo.

Ms Arroyo, who rose to power via a popular uprising that ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001, is considered the most unpopular leader the country ever had following the number of scandals that rocked her administration.

But Teodoro insisted that he was his own man and that he would pursue his plans to become president according to his own liking.

2007 not 2010

?It?s going to be me who?s running, not the President. It?s me versus the others, not (Ms Arroyo) against the others,? he argued.

Sought for his reaction about the dismal performance of the administration-backed senatorial lineup during the 2007 polls, Teodoro said the election two years ago should not be compared to a presidential election.

?It?s different,? he said.

Teodoro declined to comment when asked about his plans to better his ratings in the surveys which showed him lagging behind other possible presidentiables.

?The theme is recurring and recurring,? he replied.

He also refused to comment on his chances of winning the presidency if he agrees to pick Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno as his vice presidential candidate.

Teodoro welcomed the tandem of Senators Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III and Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party.

?All tandems are formidable. You must not underestimate the others. What is important is what our party does. They have their credentials, I also have mine. I?m sure the people know what we did (as political leaders),? he said.