section_path: History/2009 Lakas nomination: Teodoro vs Fernando/Possible Candidates
section_name: Possible Candidates
paragraph_text: Possible Candidates
  
  By 2008, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando wants to get the nomination of the party, but some party members want to field then-Vice President Noli de Castro, or former House Speaker Sonny Belmonte as nominee. Senator Dick Gordon also considered if de Castro declined. But Parañaque Congressman Eduardo Zialcita said that the party did not have popular of "winnable" candidate for presidency, and also stated that de Castro declined to join the party.
  
  In 2009, Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro resigned from his uncle's NPC to sworn-in as new member of newly-merged Lakas–Kampi. Teodoro's admission to Lakas will be a possible sign for seeking nomination for president. Former PNP chief and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes "Jun" Ebdane, even though not a party member, wants to seek party nomination. Actor and Senator Bong Revilla was rumored to be the party's nominee. In September of that year, Teodoro submits his name to the party nomination process. Fernando insisted that the party should choose an “original” and “loyal” member. Also in the same month, former Speaker and party co-founder de Venecia said that the newly-merged party can't field any candidates because the party did not have already been recognized officially by COMELEC. The party also shortlisted the party's choices between Teodoro and Fernando.