KBL chairman quits to join party-list group

MANILA, Philippines - The chairman of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the political party founded by the late President Ferdinand Marcos, has resigned, leaving the party without a head as the local campaign period began.

“I have filed my resignation as KBL chairman to join a labor party list group,” Lawyer Vicente Millora told The STAR.

He said the national executive committee would decide who would replace him to run the party’s national campaign.

The KBL, the most powerful party in the 70’s, suffered a major set back when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified its presidential standard-bearer Vetellano Acosta.

KBL vice presidential candidate Jay Sonza, in a telephone interview, said Millora’s resignation created a vacuum in the national leadership of the party.

“A transition leader is needed to keep the party intact for the entire campaign period,” he said.

Sonza and singer Imelda Papin, who is also a guest candidate of Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s Bangon Party, are now left on their own in the campaign trail.

However, the KBL’s regional party leaders remain intact and are campaigning in their respective areas.

Sonza said he would push for the re-installation of Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as party head.

Marcos resigned from the party during the 2007 elections after party leaders nominated Joselito Cayetano as senatorial candidate.

Former first lady Imelda Marcos remains honorary chairman of the party, touted as the fourth biggest in the country today.