Barbers threatens to bolt Lakas

Sanction them and they will bolt.

Sen. Robert Barbers said yesterday that he, his two sons and 50 other Lakas party members in the House of Representatives will resign from the ruling party if they were sanctioned for signing a petition urging former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco to run for president in the May 2004 elections.

In a statement, Barbers said that he saw nothing wrong with the petition signed by the 53 Lakas members, mostly from the House, urging Cojuangco, chairman emeritus of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), to run for president. The NPC is part of the ruling coalition.

The petition is merely an expression of the congressmen’s belief in what they said is Cojuangco’s proven capability, competence and outstanding leadership qualities, Barbers said.

"Urging a party leader to become the standard-bearer in the 2004 elections does not necessarily mean politicking," Barbers said.

Cojuangco is part of the coalition and his accomplishments and background can contribute to the party’s objective of victory in 2004, Barbers said.

Should sanctions be imposed on them for signing the petition, Barbers said, he and his sons, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers and the 50 Lakas members who signed the petition asking Cojuangco to run in 2004 will bolt the administration party.