Amid mergers of political parties Lacson: 'I will run as president'

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson finds nothing wrong in the merging of various political parties among the opposition group but said they should see to it that the merger is realistic and realizable.

“Sa ngayon nga yong merger ng Kampi and Lakas, meron na kaagad problema,”says Lacson, who was in Cebu yesterday for the public consultative hearing on several House Bills on water districts’ demand for an exemption from paying income taxes.

Lacson, who belongs to the opposition Liberal Party, said he will run for president in the 2010 elections and hopes the merger of political parties among the opposition is stopped so they could come up with a strong presidential contender who will be their standard bearer.

“Tatakbo akong Presidente sa ngayon and I will not slide down as vice president,” Lacson said when asked whether he will settle as vice president if he will not be chosen as the standard bearer.

Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas III, also of Liberal Party, has already expressed his intention to seek the presidency in the upcoming elections.

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is now eyeing to merge the opposition political parties in order for them to have strong chances against any of the administration candidates.

Lacson further said that even if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is initiating for the merger of the ruling party Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), it does not mean that the current administration is sincere in its effort to have the 2010 polls push through.

“Kahit may merger na sila, hindi pa rin natin masisiguro na may election nga kasi yong mga kaalyado ng presidente are still pushing for Charter Change,” Lacson said.

Arroyo had already dispelled speculations of a no-election scenario, citing the move of merger (Kampi-Lakas-CMD) made by her administration.

In the local scene, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who was among those present during the event for the official merger of the administration parties, said the move will not affect local politics for now.

Rama, who is affiliated with the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), which is connected with Lakas, said the union was a positive thing at the national level.

“But sooner or later the locals will have to address certain concerns, I will not elaborate what are these concerns yet,” he added. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)