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Friday, February 08, 2008
Kampi members oppose merger with Lakas
MANILA -- Palawan Representative Antonio Alvarez said many of his colleagues in the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) are against the proposal to merge with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) because their party is already the dominant administration party.
"No, that can't be for it would be like the dilis (anchovy) swallowing the butanding (whale shark)," he said, adding that "at the rate Kampi is taking in recruits, it is now bigger than Lakas."
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It was Kampi president Luis Villafuerte and Presidential son Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo (Lakas, Pampanga) who ran the campaign to oust Lakas-CMD president Jose de Venecia Jr. as House Speaker.
Kampi initially circulated a manifesto of withdrawal of support to de Venecia's leadership containing the signatories of about 56 members.
The number eventually ballooned to 174 in the plenary, which catapulted Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles to the speakership.
Alvarez also hinted that many Kampi members left Lakas "because they were unhappy with the way things were managed over there."
Former President Fidel Ramos has said Lakas and Kampi will merge to underscore the "strong" relationship between the two parties following de Venecia's ouster last Monday.
He said the decision for the merger was made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Speaker Prospero Nograles, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
'Shotgun marriage'
Alvarez described the proposed merger as a "shotgun marriage," which would strip the two leading administration parties its respective identities.
"We should remain as partners and close allies, with each retaining its identity. This beautiful relationship will be destroyed if we will be forced into a shotgun marriage," he said.
Alvarez said the "forced marriage" would destroy the friendly competition between the two parties, which are competing in recruiting more members for the administration.
He said they prefer "the status quo of just being in an alliance but not in a union with Lakas."
The Kampi stalwart also scoffed at proposals to retain Lakas as the ruling party in case of a merger.
"Lakas is hemorrhaging members. It is practicing the politics of subtraction while Kampi is practicing the politics of addition," he said.
By staying as "distinct entities," Lakas and Kampi will also be encouraging the "multiparty system" the Constitution calls for, Alvarez said.
February 21
Malacañang meanwhile said de Venecia would not be removed from his position as Lakas-CMD president before the February 21 meeting of the party.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye gave this assurance in support of Ramos's statements asking to give de Venecia enough space and time to make a graceful exit from the ruling party. Ramos is chairman emeritus of Lakas party.
Bunye said any action against de Venecia would have to be thoroughly discussed in the Lakas-CMD national directorate meeting.
Ed Malay, Ramos's media adviser, said de Venecia could step down on or before February 21 but he must not be rushed into it, in recognition of his contributions to the party.
Malay said the ousted Speaker knows the consequences of his action and that he is at the crossroad of his political career.
He said de Venecia will not take much time especially because everyone is aware of the impact of the issue if allowed to percolate.
"He knows whereof he stands. JDV also knows he may have burned his bridges that would render it impossible to restore the impaired relationship with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," he said. (AH/JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (February 8, 2008 issue)
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