A day after declaring his interest in running for president in the 2010 polls, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro received the support of the Philippine Councilors League, which held its quarterly meeting in Puerto Princesa City.

?His leadership by example style is truly sterling and unparalleled... [and]... encourages him to seek bigger and greater responsibility in the national government for the benefit of the people and country as a whole,? chapter president Miguel Cuaderno said, reading from a plaque given to Teodoro.

Cuaderno said Teodoro is emerging to be the most qualified public servant to lead the country.

In his keynote address, Teodoro thanked the councilors for their very vital legislative role for both the local and national government.

For his part, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn likened Teodoro to a ?different recipe,? saying the Defense chief is not a traditional politician.

Teodoro said the collective support of the councilors nationwide is what he needs for the 2010 polls.

Senior lawmakers endorsed Teodoro?s declaration as a contender for the 2010 presidential derby.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman (Lakas-CMD) said that with Teodoro, ?Lakas now would have a credible and qualified candidate, coming from the national defense infrastructure which has already produced two presidents, I think that is a plus factor for Gilbert. So we welcome this development.?

While Teodoro has shown he could win elections by being a former three-term congressman, Lagman admitted that running for presidency is an entirely different ballgame.

?But I think the administration party might have found a candidate because other probables are either not scoring well in the surveys or ambivalent in their candidacy,? Lagman said.

Among those whose names had been floated as possible candidates for the administration are Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Vice President Noli de Castro and Senator Richard Gordon. Jaime Pilapil and Roy Pelovello