MANILA, Philippines - Former defense chief and Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro took his campaign sortie yesterday to Marikina City, the bailiwick of former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, who bolted the administration party after Teodoro defeated him in the party’s presidential nomination late last year.

Teodoro, whose late grandfather is from Marikina, was welcomed by mayoralty bet Dr. Alfredo Cheng and other local candidates.

“He is the most competent and qualified among the candidates,” said Cheng during a mini-rally in Barangay Calumpang attended by Teodoro, senatorial candidate Rey Langit and Mark Lambino, who represented his father, senatorial candidate Raul Lambino.

Teodoro said all residential development in Marikina should be vertical in order to spare residents from floods. He said this should have been done before but this was not addressed by concerned government agencies, especially those involved in housing development.

The Fernandos have ruled the city for almost a decade and have focused their efforts into converting the city into a tourist attraction.

Fernando was mayor of the city before he accepted the MMDA post. His wife, Marides is the incumbent mayor but she is seeking to replace Rep. Del de Guzman, who represents the second congressional district. De Guzman, Cheng and Vice Mayor Marion Andres are seeking the post that Marides will vacate.

After losing to Teodoro in the presidential party nomination, Fernando bolted Lakas to become the vice presidential candidate of Sen. Richard Gordon of the Bagumbayan party.

Teodoro said he respects Fernando’s decision to leave the party and holds no grudge against the former MMDA chair. “It’s useless. Bad blood is what causes the Philippines’ non-progression,” he said.      – Jaime Laude