While playing Santa Claus to nearly 2,000 families of Bantayan Island affected by last year's typhoon Frank, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro dodged questions about his potential running mate in next year's elections and the upcoming Lakas-Kampi convention in Cebu.

Teodoro, concurrent chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), made a one-hour visit to the island where he was welcomed by local officials of the island comprising the towns of Bantayan, Santa Fe and Madridejos.

Assisted by local officials and Rep. Benhur Salimbangun of Cebu’s 4th district, Teodoro led the distribution of the total P6.6 million in financial assistance to the typhoon victims in the three towns.

Each family whose house was destroyed during the typhoon received P6,000 in financial assistance. Those families whose houses were damaged, got P3,000.

Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario-Cañares said Teodoro also distributed P10,000 in cash assistance to the families whose loved ones died during the typhoon.

In the short program held at the cultural center in Bantayan town noon yesterday, Teodoro gave cash assistance to at least 20 families.

The affected families were identified through the municipal social welfare offices of the three towns.

In between some sneezing bouts, Teodoro tried to speak the dialect to the recipients and even asked the help of local officials on what terms to use.

He also sparked talks of choosing Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano as his running mate when he mentioned that he will work with him in promoting Bantayan Island as a tourism destination in Asia.

But in a report over dyLA, Teodoro clarified that he was merely extending support to Durano's program. He also didn't comment on reports about Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as a possible running mate.

“They (Lakas-Kampi coalition) will recommend to me and I will make a decision. Still the same thing. There is a selection process by the party and I am leaving it to them,” Teodoro said.

The secretary also said he had distanced himself from preparations of any party conventions scheduled here in Cebu.

“I really don't know. I am not really getting involved in politics right now so I am leaving that to the party,” he later said in a gathering of women's groups at the Rajah Hotel that he also attended yesterday.