Kampi chief prefers 'live-in' with Lakas

MANILA, Philippines --The president of Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) prefers a live-in arrangement instead of a marriage with rival administration party Lakas.

In a television interview over the weekend, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte said Lakas and Kampi should first review their coalition before working on a merger as ordered by President Arroyo last Friday.

“Let’s strengthen the coalition, make it work. If a coalition doesn’t work, why should we consider marriage?” he said.

He agreed that an alliance is like a live-in arrangement.

Mrs. Arroyo, founder of Kampi, gave the order for the merger of the two administration parties in a meeting of Lakas and Kampi leaders. She had given similar directives in the past but the two parties have failed to fuse their forces.

“A merger is ideal but it is easier said than done,” Villafuerte said.

“Squabbles at the local level and squabbles within Lakas and Kampi are preventing the union of the two parties,” he said.

He did not identify the local and party leaders who are quarreling.

But it is common knowledge that Villafuerte and his party chairman, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, are feuding. Puno attended Friday’s meeting, while Villafuerte did not.

In the latter part of 2007, the Kampi chairman backed then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. against Speaker wannabe Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu.

In Villafuerte’s own province, he is at odds with his own son, Luis Raymond, who is governor and who belongs to Lakas.

In the May 2007 elections, the Kampi president supported former Rep. Eduardo Pilapil, who ran against Gov. Villafuerte.

Rep. Villafuerte said Lakas and Kampi would have difficulty settling conflicts among their local leaders. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe