Lakas-Kampi stages show of force today

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to consolidate its remaining forces, the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD is expected to stage a show of force today in its national convention to map out strategy in maintaining the ruling party’s hold on power.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the convention would formally launch the tandem of former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and television host Edu Manzano as the party’s standard-bearer and vice presidential candidate, respectively.

Ermita stressed Lakas is still the party to contend with in the 2010 elections, notwithstanding the spate of defections from its ranks.

“Definitely we really are in the game from Day One. Don’t misunderstand that we ever considered that we are not in the game,” Ermita said in a news briefing.

“We always brag about us being the strongest and the most organized party. Therefore we are going through that exercise to launch our candidates, and precisely, this is it, a show of force, if you may call it that,” he said.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said about 3,000 party leaders and members are expected to attend the gathering at the Philippine International Convention Center today.

At the convention, President Arroyo, along with Ermita and Claudio, will formally relinquish their respective posts and allow Teodoro to steer the party in preparation for the 2010 elections.

Teodoro will be the new party chairman succeeding Mrs. Arroyo, while Ermita and Claudio will be succeeded by Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez and Francis Manglapus, as president and secretary-general of the party, respectively.

The convention will also ratify the party’s new bylaws drafted following the merger of Lakas-CMD and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Teodoro and Manzano are expected to deliver their acceptance speeches.

The convention would display a new look for the party typified by a new generation of leaders taking over the reins of leadership.

The convention theme, “Ang Bagong Mukha ng Lakas-Kampi CMD (the new face of Lakas Kampi-CMD),” would stress the party’s forward-looking philosophy that builds upon its great tradition and image as the “party of the future.”

The party leadership has planned a tight, two-hour spectacle touted to be a “feast for the eyes, an appeal to the heart and an inspiration to the intellect.”

The party’s deputy secretary-general, Ray Roquero, said the preparations have been completed for the convention.

“We have left no stone unturned to make this convention a success,” he said.

Ermita said today’s convention will “show to the whole world that Lakas-Kampi-CMD is ready for political combat and we are confident of where it stands right now.”

No big deal

Ermita made a last effort to pitch for Lakas while he downplayed the high-profile defections of party mates.

“People would like to think that when there are one, two or three people known to have transferred to another party, and it’s written about in media, (it’s) a big event about somebody bolting,” Ermita said.

“But our party has to project the truth about it being the most organized and the strongest party. So anything less than that, we have to move forward to let the whole world know,” he said.

Among the high profile Lakas officials who have gone over to the Liberal Party (LP) are Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, his daughter Joy Belmonte, and Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista.

Belmonte served as chairman of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino, mother of LP presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Belmonte joined former senator and socioeconomic planning director Ralph Recto and his wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto in moving to the LP.

Thousands of Lakas party members in Davao de Norte also went over to the LP and took their oath before Sen. Manuel Roxas, the LP president and the party’s vice presidential candidate.

The officials were led by Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, who used to head the administration party in Southern Mindanao.

Local officials that included Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio and Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy led other party leaders in switching to the LP in simple ceremonies in Tagum City yesterday.

Ermita, however, said a majority of local officials, including governors and mayors, as well as congressmen still belong to the ruling party.

He said the ruling party was further strengthened with the decision of the Commission on Elections upholding the merger of Lakas-CMD with Kampi.

Ermita also said Lakas-Kampi-CMD is not affected by the ratings of Teodoro and the still untested Manzano.

He said the low ratings came since Teodoro failed to “expose” himself to the public because he was too busy with his job as Defense chief.

Now that he has resigned, Teodoro would have more time to meet the people, Ermita said.

“When you meet him (Teodoro) and listen to him, you will see that he is sincere and has fire in the belly for this battle,” he said.

“Teodoro brings to the party a sharp intellect, a keen grasp of national issues, a leadership tested in crisis, and a record of integrity in the practice of law and in public service that has a few parallels,” he said.

Ermita described Teodoro as “youthful, competent and a man of integrity and honesty who will give a big push to clean and transparent governance.”

“Gibo Teodoro is supported by leaders cast in the same mold, and driven by the same ferocious hope to modernize our nation as rapidly as possible,” he added.

Ermita said Teodoro could be likened to former President Fidel Ramos and Mrs. Arroyo who both suffered low popularity ratings before they were elected.

“There are so many major political developments that can happen. Let’s wait and see,” Ermita said. – With Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado