MANILA, Philippines - Opposition presidential bets are not likely to measure up to the performance and track record of administration standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a Malacañang official said yesterday.

Presidential deputy spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the economic policies implemented by President Arroyo would put Teodoro “way ahead” of opposition presidential candidates as the administration’s performance on the field allowed the country to avoid the full brunt of the global economic crisis.

“I think what we should talk about is: what are the plans of those running? Let’s not be basing it on general statements like ‘I will not steal. I will not do this. That I will be better’,” Fajardo said, referring to the statements made by Sen. Manuel Roxas.

Roxas, who will be the vice presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP), said the party’s standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is better than Teodoro in continuing the economic policies of the Arroyo administration.

“Let’s lay on the table what are their platforms of government and their intentions when they are in office,” Fajardo said.

She said Teodoro is “very clear on his stand on all issues and all things hurled against him” and knows what to do once in office.

“I think voters should (use) platforms of government as basis (in deciding who to vote),” she said.

Another lawmaker, on the other hand, urged Teodoro to consolidate his base of support before hitting the campaign trail on the way to the May 2010 elections.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Teodoro should unify the factions within the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD to sustain his presidential bid.

Marcos claimed Teodoro’s proclamation as standard bearer of Lakas “remains in doubt” in light of the petition of Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. questioning the legality of the merger of Lakas-CMD to Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

De Venecia, who co-founded Lakas-CMD in 1992 along with former President Fidel Ramos, sought to nullify the merger before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

De Venecia went on to form the group of so-called Lakas originals refusing to recognize the merger with Kampi.

“Gibo needs to talk and court FVR (Ramos) and JDV (De Venecia) because they still have supporters within Lakas. We may not hear from them now but they will surely come out as election day approaches,” Marcos warned.

He said Teodoro should take the initiative to reach out to the Lakas founders if he wants to have a solid support for his candidacy.

Marcos said Teodoro must also convince Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando to support his candidacy.

Marcos noted Fernando did not categorically give his support to Teodoro after he was defeated in the party’s selection process as standard bearer.

Fernando did not rule out the possibility of bolting Lakas and forming his own group to pursue his presidential bid.

“BF (Fernando) is good and he also has many supporters. Gibo needs to talk to BF,” Marcos said.

There were reports that Fernando is eyeing an alliance with the Lakas originals of Ramos and De Venecia after failing to get the endorsement of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Marcos added Teodoro should prevent this scenario of the three Lakas stalwarts forming an alliance separate from the ruling party that could later ruin his chances to become the next president.

Marcos also advised Teodoro to distance himself from President Arroyo if he wants to win in 2010, believing that an endorsement from the unpopular leader is a “kiss of death.”

After Teodoro was proclaimed as standard bearer of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, local government officials have urged the party to review the selection of the vice presidential candidate.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, as chairman of Kampi, was selected as Teodoro’s running mate.

Former senator Ernesto Herrera, for his part, observed Teodoro is under pressure to choose a vice presidential candidate to represent the regions of Visayas and Mindanao.

Herrera pointed out the tandem of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas represent the North-South combination. Aquino is from Tarlac while Roxas served as congressman of Capiz.

“The Aquino-Roxas tandem definitely represents a formidable North-South combination that both Teodoro and Villar will now have to match in order to build up their own chances of drawing more votes from the Visayas and Mindanao,” Herrera said.

Herrera, a former congressman of Bohol, also noted Teodoro is from Tarlac while other presidential wannabes, mentioning Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., is from Bataan.

Herrera pointed out that there are highly qualified prospective vice presidential candidates from the Visayas or Mindanao – naming the Osmeñas of Cebu, the Defensors of Iloilo, the Plazas of Agusan, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Herrera added Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., from Cagayan de Oro City is also a highly qualified vice presidential candidate.

Herrera said former senator Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III is interested in returning to the Senate. Osmeña and Pimentel, he said, are both supporting the candidacy of Aquino. –With Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin