BY WENDELL VIGILIA

A STORM is brewing within the ruling Lakas-CMD party over the possibility that Vice President Noli de Castro would be its standard bearer in 2010.

"We’ll leave the party if that happens," an administration congressman said yesterday.

He said he and some Lakas "core" leaders would feel insulted if De Castro is chosen. "He lacks the necessary credentials," he said.

"Come on, we can do better than that. All of us might as well run for president if he is chosen," he added.

He also said De Castro’s candidacy would divide Lakas which is shopping for a strong standard bearer.

But Rep. Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao) said he does not see any reason De Castro should not be included in their list of presidential choices. "He (De Castro) was part of the people’s coalition administration party and I think he’s okay."

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (PMP, Cagayan de Oro), a member of the opposition, has said De Castro is the strongest administration bet.

Last week, Lakas spokesman Raul Lambino said members of Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP) have been wooing Lakas congressmen to join them.

NP is leaning towards Senate President Manuel Villar as its standard bearer. NP secretary general Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has said they are searching for a "few good men" as Villar’s running mate.

LP is likely to choose as standard bearer its president Sen. Mar Roxas.

There has been speculation that Lakas will field Villar or Roxas.

Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Lakas, Romblon) has said Villar has the upper hand over Roxas because of his "silent ties" with Speaker Jose de Venecia, a trusted lieutenant of President Fidel Ramos, the party chair emeritus.

But other Lakas congressmen said Roxas could use his strong ties with the President.