Zubiri seeks coalition slate in 2007 to counter strong opposition

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Expressing fears over a stronger opposition that could impeach President Arroyo, Lakas party secretary general Bukidnon Rep. Jose Miguel Zubiri bared here plans for a possible coalition slate for the 2007 elections.

Zubiri said Lakas will be forced to come out with a common slate to neutralize the opposition in the May 2007 midterm elections.

"We have to come out with a common slate. Otherwise, the force of the opposition might come out stronger and (the administration would) lose many districts to the opposition," Zubiri said.

The Bukidnon lawmaker made the statement while gracing the provincial Lakas forum that later turned into a proclamation of local candidates at the Bren Z. Guiao sports complex here last Saturday.

According to Zubiri, the last three years of the Arroyo administration will be "crucial," noting the efforts of the opposition to unseat the President in filing impeachment complaints every year.

Zubiri expressed the possibility that if the opposition secures a landslide victory in next year’s polls, another impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo at the House of Representatives might eventually succeed.

"It’s not only the impeachment case we are concerned about," Zubiri said. "But also the continuation of the programs and projects of the President. Our economy is experiencing resurgence."

Zubiri noted the recent surveys indicating the opposition leading the list of favorites for the 2007 polls.

He said Lakas is currently working out a "unification or a coalition ticket" with Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Zubiri though conceded there was a struggle occurring within the administration ranks since many have been preparing to run for the same positions in the local elections.

Zubiri stressed the need to realign 80 percent of the party candidates to strengthen their chances.

He said negotiations are now underway for Lakas, Kampi and NPC to come out with a coalition ticket which would be formed immediately after another nationwide survey comes out.

At the local level where there are conflicts among administration candidates, Zubiri said arrangements are being made with Kampi secretary general Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte to enforce the "equity of the incumbent" principle among the candidates.

"It’s only largely in Metro Manila that oppositionists seem to be popular. In the provinces, especially at the local level, administration politicians were able to deliver basic services to their constituents and have remained popular among their constituents," he said.

"All is not lost," Zubiri stressed as he recalled that in the 2004 elections, some of those who won in the senatorial race were not even included in the pre-election popularity surveys.

He cited the case of Senators Pia Cayetano and Richard Gordon whose popularity zoomed in the last phase of the campaign period due to "media blitz."

Zubiri noted the President continues to have the solid support of local government units.

"If she can use this machinery, administration candidates will (surely) win," he said.