http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/26/09...-resign-2-weeksGibo to resign in 2 weeksabs-cbnNEWS.com10/26/2009, 3:15 PM
MANILA - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced Monday that he will be resigning his post in two weeks to prepare for his presidential campaign.
In a speech during the launch of the Department of National Defense Citizen's Charter, Teodoro thanked DND employees for their support during his more than two-year term as defense chief.
“Many of you know probably this will be my final weeks in office...I’ll take this opportunity in advance to thank each and everyone of you in the DND proper, of course I will so formally when I turn over (the post) ,” said Teodoro.
“But then again, its been good working with each and everyone of you and I will treasure the experience wherever I may be and forever in my life,” he added.
DND insiders said Teodoro was supposed to resign last week to concentrate on his campaign but his resignation was delayed because of Typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana), Pepeng (Parma) and Ramil (Lupit).
On Monday Teodoro said no typhoon can delay his resignation because he needs to catch up in his political campaign. He told reporters that before he leaves, he will try to set the agenda on relief and rehabilitation efforts on Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng .
He said part of the agenda setting is to clearly come up with guidelines on determining the areas of rehabilitation of affected areas and relocation of informal settlers who have been living in danger zones such as riverbanks and flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.
He said he will be attending discussions and meetings with legislators on the proposed P12 billion calamity fund that will be used for rehabilitation of devastated areas.
The defense chief remained mum on who will replace him, saying that he will discuss it with President Arroyo. “Thats between me and the President to discuss....that's highly confidential between me and the President,” he said.
Over a week ago, reports spread that among those who may succeed Teodoro are former Armed Forces chief now Presidential Management Staff head Hermogenes Esperon, resigned Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.
When asked if he has enough funds to sustain his presidential ambition, Teodoro said: "That will be a party matter. It's not a personal matter. If I spend my own money for this, forget it.”
On his reported team-up with Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Teodoro said he has not been part of the Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats' search for his running mate since he is still focused on his work as head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council. He said it was not true that Garcia was his personal choice or he was pushing for her to be his running mate. However, he said Garcia is qualified being a “top performing governor” and she is from Visayas.
He said there should be a party consensus on who should be fielded as his running mate in the 2010 elections.
Aside from Garcia, other possible vice-presidential candidates are Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., businessman Manny Pangilinan, actor Edu Manzano and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves.