Teodoro--Mrs. Arroyo's "Ace" and "US annointed"

Eduardo Ermita, Mrs. Arroyo's Executive Secretary, apparently giggled like crazy when Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced his intention to run as the administration's standard bearer.

Teodoro's announcement is not at all surprising. His candidacy has been talked about in Malacanang circles since 2007. It's known to all that he's quite close to Arroyo and enjoys the trust and confidence of many incumbent and past military officials.

Many close media associates of mine knew of Mrs. Arroyo's close to succeed her. And her pick was not De Castro, as some surmised. It's Teodoro. He's the "ace" that Mrs. Arroyo kept very close to her chest (see my previous entries about Teodoro).

The question is---what interests does Teodoro represent? Is it solely the interest of Danding and his associates?

Teodoro represents the interests of big hacienderos, military elite and businessmen. If you look at his close associates, you'll find that Teodoro's backers are military contractors, real estate magnates and big compradors based in the provinces.

He can be very accommodating to military officials serving at the present administration. Expect to have former military officers serving under a Teodoro administration.

Expect to see the continuation of big comprador interests in the government. He also appeals to some segments of the intelligentsia and the middle class.

However, Teodoro's presidential bid could still be frustrated.

Definitely, survey groups would now "officially" include Teodoro's name in the roster of "presidentiables". Malacanang, especially Ermita, would have to wait in the first week of April if Teodoro's name even registers in the minds of electorate.

The probable scenario that would happen would be Teodoro runs as Escudero's sidekick, easing Loren Legarda out of the picture.

An Escudero-Teodoro tandem is a formidable one. It could even eclipse that of an Estrada-Binay or an Estrada-Legarda tandem.