After all the hullabaloo on the merger of the country’s two biggest political parties, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the administration remains without a dominant candidate for the 2010 presidential elections.

The two administration parties formalized their merger on Thursday in Manila Hotel. The new party--Lakas-Kampi-CMD--controls around 80 percent of the country’s political base.

“I need you all strong and united. There is no other way forward than to be one, act as one, and win as one,” President Arroyo said in a speech before the members of the merged party.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD represents 66 percent of the incumbent district congressmen, 72 percent of the governors, 71 percent of city mayors, and 73 percent of the town mayors, said presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, who headed the two parties’ committee on merger.

“We have boarded one mighty ship capable of navigating the roughest seas. This ship will reach the port next year...victorious,” Claudio said.

No homegrown candidate

However, the formidable political party was launched without a dominant presidential candidate for the 2010 elections.

The opposition, on the other hand, has within its ranks several presidential bets who have both popularity plus the financial wherewithal for a nationwide campaign. These include former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Manuel Villar, and Senator Manuel Roxas II.

Former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, a Lakas-CMD stalwart, said there will be a selection committee which will look into factors such as a candidate's survey ratings.

“It’s (surveys) very important. If we field someone who is not rating, it’s as good as Lakas-Kampi-CMD will be throwing its towel,” Pichay told reporters.

Some administration allies have dismissed the possibility of fielding a homegrown candidate.

The administration's public approval ratings have suffered due to various scandals like the "Hello Garci" controversy and unpopular measures like Charter change. These controversies contributed to the big loss of the administration's senatorial bets in the 2007 mid-term elections.

Despite the President's low public approval ratings, the administration is counting on the machinery of Lakas-Kampi-CMD to deliver the votes for its candidates in 2010.

From their ranks, the only one who has so far come out to seek the party’s nomination for president is Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.  Although he announced his intent as early as September 2008, he has been unable to improve his rankings in the surveys.  Despite his early announcement, his highest popularity rating has been at 2 percent.

However, his wife, incumbent Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, said they have not given up. “Pareho-pareho lang ang chance nilang lahat. Wala pa naming decision ang party,” she said.

Bayani was a no-show at the merger ceremony. “Andito lang sa Metro Manila yun. Baka nasabit lang,” she said.

The other member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD who is eyeing a national position is Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who has expressed his plan to seek the party’s nomination for the vice presidency.

Undecided Noli

The two names being floated as possible candidates of Lakas-Kampi-CMD are outsiders.

The administration has long been floating the name of Vice President Noli De Castro, who has been faring well in presidential surveys of Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations. However, de Castro is officially an independent, although he ran under the administration ticket in 2004.

Even though he attended the merger ceremony on Thursday, De Castro remains undecided if he’s running for president in 2010.

The only thing he categorically told reporters was that if he will run for a position at all, it will only be for president. He denied the possibility of becoming the running mate of another presidential aspirant, Senator Manuel Villar, leader of the Nacionalista Party.

“Wala yun. Di pwedeng mag-tandem dalawang presidente. I will never never run for vice president. Tapos nako dun. Sabi nga nila, 'been there, done that',” he told reporters during the merger ceremony.

Asked who are his advisers, De Castro told reporters, “Sarili ko. Friends and relatives and kayo. Pakikiramdaman ko ang taong bayan, [kung] anong sinasabi nila.”

De Castro has not expressed his intention of joining the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Teodoro plays catch up

The other name being floated--Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro--does not figure in the presidential surveys but has said that he will soon join the merged party.

“If Teodoro will rate, then he will be considered,” Pichay said.  

Despite his handicap, he expressed confidence that he will be anointed by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD to become its presidential candidate.

“A whole broad spectrum of local leaders and national leaders like Sen. [Juan Miguel] Zubiri, civil society, governors and mayors will support me,” he told reporters.

“My position is unchanged. I will join the process and will run for President only if endorsed by the party and President,” he added.

His wife, Tarlac Rep. Monica Prieto Teodoro, earlier said some “powerful people” within Lakas and Kampi have pledged that they will bolt the merged party if it will not choose Teodoro to become its presidential candidate.

Mr. Teodoro on Thursday said his wife may have meant “influential people.”

During the merger ceremony, Teodoro got a louder applause than De Castro.

Teodoro is also confident he will catch up in the surveys.

“I understand that some leaders of the party are anxious about my survey ratings. This is a concern that I am addressing. I am running for President not on sheer popularity but on the basis of my conviction that I have what it takes to be the next leader of the country,” he said.