Zamboanga del Norte governor backs Teodoro for president

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines – Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes (Kampi) has thrown his full support behind the presidential bid of Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, whom he said is the strongest contender for the merged party’s nomination.

“His competence, integrity and qualifications are given much weight by leaders of the administration coalition and that makes him a frontrunner among those seeking ceremonies of the annual Hudyaka Festival and the 57th Founding anniversary of the province here on Sunday.

Yebes echoed the sentiments of local party leaders in the province who are optimistic of Teodoro’s chances when the formal selection process for the administration coalition begins.

“When the right time comes, leaders of the entire province will make a united stand and will support the candidate whom we feel deserves to be drafted as the party’s standard bearer,” Yebes said.

Yebes is the latest addition to the long list of local leaders in Mindanao to openly back Teo­doro’s bid for the presidency.

In the latest poll survey, Teodoro got his highest awareness and approval ratings in the region, considered to be one of his potent political bailiwicks.

Meanwhile, Teodoro acknowledged the strong leadership of the province as evidenced by the prevailing unity among local executives which he said is the key in the continued economic progress of Zamboanga del Norte.

“Your experience here in Zamboanga del Norte sends a very strong message to other provinces throughout the country that when peace and security prevail, we can accelerate economic growth that will reduce poverty and uplift the living standards of the people,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro commended Yebes for exerting every effort to stabilize the security situation in the entire province to allow the people to engage in productive economic activities.

Teodoro vowed to extend whatever assistance the province would require from the defense department to ensure the preservation of peace and order in the province.