SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur - Rumors are rife that former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan - who was allowed to post bail on charges of leading a short-lived mutiny in 2003 - is set to replace one of the weakest candidates of the administration Team Unity.

Speculations were apparently triggered by Honasan's sudden release from detention and an admission made by Team Unity senatorial candidate Michael Defensor that he was "open" to the idea of Honasan replacing one of them.

"Our advocacy is not different from Senator Honasan and Team Unity. We are both for peace, reconciliation and unity," Defensor said.

Defensor, however, backtracked when pressed for the name of the candidate who might withdraw from the race.

There is talk that Honasan, who is currently running as an independent, might replace actor-director Cesar Montano or Jamalul Kiram, who have both complained of lack of logistical support in their campaigns.

Montano denied this, however. "I'm not planning to back out or withdraw. The people have been very receptive and I will continue with this campaign. People I meet are always saying their No. 1 candidate is Cesar Montano. And that's it."

A reliable source, on the other hand, hinted that Honasan might fill in the shoes of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, who is faring poorly in surveys and who has not actively campaigned after surviving a helicopter crash.

The source claimed the administration might have "something to do" with the sudden release of Honasan, a former Army colonel notorious for involvement in several coup attempts during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino.

The former senator, 59, was arrested in November 2006 after nine months on the run.

Honasan was also charged with rebellion for his alleged involvement in a foiled coup plot in February 2006, but the Supreme Court has stopped the Department of Justice from prosecuting the case.

"Why was Honasan released all of a sudden? The timing is suspect. I suspect Malacañang had something to do with it," he said.

The source said Singson might just go back to Ilocos Sur and retain his gubernatorial post, rather than risk losing in the May 14 senatorial polls.

Singson, like Kiram and Montano, has since been denying that he is pulling out of the senatorial race.

Team Unity candidate Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri said he has not heard of such a plan, although he explained that such issues may be "discussed" thoroughly only if one of them withdraws his candidacy.

Offhand, he's not convinced anybody would just leave the fight, especially now that they are almost on the homestretch.

Re-electionist Sen. Edgardo Angara also shot down the idea of a swap.