More defections to Lakas predicted

More administration congressmen and local officials will follow Bohol Rep. Ernesto Herrera and join the Lakas-NUCD before the 2001 election campaign, Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona predicted yesterday.

Herrera, a former senator and secretary general of the moderate Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, took his oath as Lakas party member last Sunday before former President Fidel Ramos, the party's founding chairman, and several other Lakas stalwarts except Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was in the provinces.

Guingona, the national president of Lakas, said the growing realization of administration congressmen and local officials that the administration was without any direction or vision was making them disenchanted and causing them to send feelers to Lakas.

He refused to name any of the congressmen or local officials set to join the opposition, saying the opposition wants to spring a surprise on the administration.

At the same time, he asserted that Arroyo would remain active in Lakas affairs despite her absence during the swearing-in of Herrera.

Guingona described as wrong any interpretation that Arroyo's absence indicated she was no longer interested in the political affairs of Lakas.

Arroyo, chairwoman of the opposition party's executive committee, had steadfastly refused to involve herself in moves within the party to press its fiscalization of the Estrada administration.

Guingona said that Arroyo, the highest Lakas member in government service, was in Ilocos when Herrera was sworn in as Lakas member last Sunday.

"Gloria was represented in the affair by her brother Diosdado Macapagal Jr. Perhaps, her engagement in Ilocos was prepared way ahead of the Herrera affair so she could not make it," Guingona explained.

He said Arroyo would help strengthen the party for the upcoming 2001 elections.

"I have no doubt that she will be actively campaigning for Lakas candidates in the 2001 elections," he added.

Herrera is expected to be included in the Lakas senatorial slate that would be headed by reelectionist Sen. Juan Flavier. Others being considered are reelectionist Sen. Sergio Osmeña III of the Liberal Party, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, former Sen. Alberto Romulo, Isabela Rep. Heherson Alvarez III, Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo, former Cebu Gov. Lito Osmeña, former defense Secretary Renato de Villa, Leyte Rep. Sergio Apostol, former Pangasinan Gov. Oscar Orbos, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez, Caloocan City Mayor Rey Malonzo and Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid.