|
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Barbers questions Rufino's threat on 50 solons
IS THIS an evidence that the formidable Lakas Party is falling apart?
Senator Robert Barbers Saturday threatened to bolt out of the Lakas Party should sanctions be imposed on the 50 members of the House of Representatives who signed a petition urging National People's Coalition (NPC) chair emeritus Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco to run for President in 2004.
Barbers was apparently picking a fight with the Lakas Party's Executive Director Jose "Joey" Rufino.
He said Rufino's threats to sanction these Congressmen were uncalled for since the petition was nothing but a "mere expression of the Congressmen's belief in the former ambassador's proven capability, competence, and outstanding leadership qualities."
Rufino claimed that the petition signed by the Congressmen would politicize the party.
But he reminded Rufino that Cojuangco's NPC forms part of the administration coalition to which Lakas also belongs to.
"There is nothing irregular if some members want him as standard bearer in the next elections," he said.
"Urging a party leader to become standard bearer in 2004 elections does not necessarily mean politicking. If I will be asked if he is qualified, I would say he is, just like other presidentiables in Lakas," an irked Barbers said.
Although he did not explicitly support Cojuangco, Barbers is evidently backing up moves to push Cojuangco's candidacy in 2004.
He said that should Rufino continue to impose these sanctions, he, together with his sons Congressman Robert Ace Barbers and Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, would bolt out from the party and he would also convince the 50 others who signed the petition to do so.
Sun.Star tried to reach Rufino for comment, but failed to do so. (Joshua Dancel) |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
