MANILA, Philippines – Despite being in sixth place, with only two percent votes, in the recent Pulse Asia survey for presidential aspirant, Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro said that he remained optimistic about his campaign.
"I'm optimistic ngayon na wala na ako, wala na akong balakid, masasabi ko na ang mensahe ko sa ating taong bayan at tingnan natin [I'm optimistic now that I have no hindrances. I can say my message to our citizens and let's just see]," Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview after the "Tatakbo Ka Ba?" oathtaking for “clean, honest, and orderly elections.”
The event was hosted by GMA Network, media partner of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, mother company of INQUIRER.net, for the 2010 elections.
The statement came a day after he formally relinquished his post as defense secretary to National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.
The former defense chief added that he would now concentrate on his campaign now that he was no longer a member of the Cabinet.
"Mas matinding pagiikot, mas matinding pagpapaliwanag sa ating mga kababayan ng ating plataporma [A more intense campaign, a more detailed explanation of our platform of government to the people," he said.
Teodoro added that he was not at all discouraged by his standing in the latest survey.
"Ako madi-discourage? Hindi. Nakita na ako ng masamang mga situations sa dalawang taon at tatlong buwan na paninilbihan ko [Me be discouraged? No. I've seen bad situations in the two years and three months that I served]," Teodoro said, referring to his former position as defense chief and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman.
"Pag ako ma-discourage, masamang mensahe yan sa ating mga taong bayan na kailangan bumangon kailangan ng pagbabago [If I become discouraged, that's a bad sign to our citizens who need to recover and need change]," he added.
Teodoro has consistently been at the bottom of surveys since he declared his presidential bid under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
On Friday, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD announced actor and TV personality Edu Manzano as his runningmate.
