President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will relinquish the chairmanship of Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats, the Office of the Press Secretary said yesterday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita yesterday announced that Arroyo will turn over the position to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro during the Lakas-Kampi CMD national convention on Nov. 19, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City .

The convention is expected to formalize the nomination of Teodoro as the party's standard bearer in the May 2010 elections.

Ermita pointed out that Commissioner Elias Yusoph of the Comelec Second Division, in an 18-page decision, upholds the authority of Lakas-Kampi-CMD to field and support candidates in the polls.

Arroyo will continue to guide Lakas-Kampi CMD as president emeritus, Ermita said, adding that the post of chairman emeritus is available for former president Fidel Ramos to take.

Ermita also said he and Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabby Claudio, who was around for the briefing, will also step down from their posts as interim president and secretary-general, respectively, to give way to others that the party will elect to serve on a permanent basis.

“We hope to tap young, dynamic leaders of the party to replace us,” Claudio said.

The two said that the ruling party will announce its candidates for all national and local candidates.

On the party's vice presidential candidate, Ermita and Claudio disclosed that the National Executive Committee took the matter into consideration in its meeting earlier.

They were mum about Teodoro's possible running mate; however except that EXECOM members from Mindanao want somebody coming from their region.

Ermita said Lakas-Kampi-CMD is looking for someone who can bring in the votes and contribute to the victory of the ruling coalition party. He said the party is open to a possible guest candidate.*OPS

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