Administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats remains confident that its standard-bearer, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, will make a surge in the 2010 presidential campaign period.

?It?s anybody?s ball game at this point,? said Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay in a text message on Monday. ?The make or break stage is two months before the elections when local officials start campaigning and they are urged to toe the party line.?

Teodoro?s spokesperson was responding to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago?s pronouncement that the 2010 elections would be a three-horse race among Senators Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III and Manny Villar and former President Joseph Estrada. The three presidential candidates made the strongest showing in the recent surveys.

But Lakas-Kampi deputy secretary general Reginald Velasco remained optimistic about Teodoro?s chances, saying that many voters have not made up their minds based on the party?s own surveys.

?How can any astute politician possibly exclude an administration candidate that is endorsed by more than half of the incumbent governors, congressmen and mayors who will provide the needed political infrastructure to deliver the votes?? Velasco pointed out.

For his part, Teodoro said he considered survey result as a ?guide and challenge for him to strive more.? Gil Cabacungan Jr. With Delfin L. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon