Palace downplays Lakas defections

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday downplayed reports that some of the key allies of Lakas-Kampi-CMD in local governments have defected to rival parties, saying the exodus is expected and beneficial to the ruling party.

“True, there have been defections among local officials and there may even be more, but these are natural and expected consequences of party intramurals and fallouts from the party’s selection process for local candidates,” said Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser for political affairs and Lakas secretary-general.

He said party members not chosen to be an official candidate in the 2010 elections “will naturally seek shelter with other political parties or other presidential bets.”

He said the defections will make it easier for Lakas to select candidates for local positions.

“So what is there to gloat about?” Claudio said. “I would like to call this arbitration by attrition.”

He said the defections will enable the party to create a solid slate.

“The positive result of these defections is that the administration party will have a single, solid and formidable lineup of candidates at the local level who will not be distracted by internal conflicts and therefore better able to concentrate on helping the administration’s national candidates win in their respective areas,” he said.

“As in a boxing match, Lakas-Kampi-CMD is shedding off excess weight and will enter the ring leaner, meaner and in its best fighting form,” he added.

He, however, said many reported defections are either “erroneous or grossly out of perspective.”

He said Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Cavite Gov. Erineo Maliksi could not have bolted from Lakas because they have never been members of the ruling party. 

Claudio said President Arroyo will preside over the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee meeting at the Palace on Wednesday where she will formally resign as chairman and finalize the agenda of its national convention on Nov. 19.