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Like Pacquiao, Lakas-Kampi shedding excess weight: Claudio

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by Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 11/02/2009 5:37 PM

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MANILA - Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general Gabriel Claudio on Monday dismissed as “wishful thinking” claims that the administration party is on the verge of a split.

Defections have been factored in and will not weaken the party machinery in 2010, he said.

“That is just a reporter’s misinformed editorializing and the Opposition’s wishful thinking. Defections of some Lakas-Kampi members to the opposition do not signify a break-up in the administration party organization,” Claudio said in a statement reacting to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report that the newly merged party is heading for a split.

“It is senseless to speculate. By November 30, all will be known,” added Kampi stalwart Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino.

The newspaper reported that Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone threatened to bolt the party if he would not get the official nomination to run for Congress representing the province’s lone congressional district.

Among those who earlier left the party to join the Nacionalista Party and support the presidential bid of Senator Manuel Villar are Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina, Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte, and Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas.

Calculated losses

While there have been party members who have defected, Claudio said “it is not as if their defection leaves a void in the local party structure.”

“Like Manny Pacquiao preparing for a major bout, the ruling party is shedding off excess weight to be in its best fighting form going into electoral battle,” Claudio said.

Combined, Lakas and Kampi comprise 80 percent of the country’s political base, officials claim. But in the previous elections—as separate parties—Lakas and Kampi clashed for the gubernatorial and congressional elections in at least 26 provinces and 53 districts. 

With the merger in May 2009, the new party decided that it would adopt the “equity of the incumbent” rule, meaning the sitting Lakas or Kampi governors, congressmen, and mayors—unless they are on their last term—become the automatic standard-bearers of the new party.

“The local leaders who quit the party all did so because of local internal conflicts, sparing us the agony of arbitration in their areas and allowing the administration to consolidate its strength around loyal, dedicated, and formidable local party leaders who are known opponents of the defectors,” Claudio said.

Evardone, for instance, wants to run for Congress as representative of Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district.

Based on the equity of the incumbent rule, Evardone cannot get the official nomination because the incumbent congressman, Teodolo Coquilla, is a party mate.

The same rule prevented Espina from getting the Lakas-Kampi nomination in the congressional seat in Biliran. The incumbent is Glenn Chong, a former member of the Liberal Party who has joined Lakas-Kampi.

“The logical consequence, if they are not chosen by the national executive committee, is they will transfer to another party,” said Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga.

“If, for example, I will not get the official nomination from our party, what could be my recourse but to leave the party and join another political party?” the newspaper quoted Evardone.

It is not clear if the Lakas-Kampi-CMD would make exceptions to its equity of the incumbent rule, however. Some of its members, who are on their last terms, are appealing to extend the incumbent rule to their relatives.

Good riddance?

Defections are welcome if party members will not respect the party decision, Claudio said. 

“It is not as if their defection leaves a void in the local party structure. It even allows us to consolidate without the distraction of local intramurals,” he added.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga doubts those who have defected can make a dent in the local party machinery.

“I don’t really know whether or not the mayors will go with them. I don’t know if they will be risking going to another political party,” Barzaga added.

But Evardone quickly withdrew his threat on Monday.

“I and my party mates in the local level are not leaving Lakas-Kampi CMD. We remain firmly loyal to President Arroyo,” Evardone told Claudio in a text message. The message was forwarded by Claudio to reporters.

In the same text message, Evardone made the appeal to junk the equity of the incumbent rule.

“The rule on equity of the incumbent should apply if the incumbent is an asset, not a liability to the party. If he enjoys the support of his party mates in the local level,” Evardone said.

He accused Coquilla of “immorality, incompetence, corruption, and non-performance.”

“I have yet to declare my candidacy for Congress although majority of the mayors, board members, and barangay captains have endorsed me to run for Congress. There is a very strong clamor in my province to reject the reelection bid of Rep. Teodoro Coquilla,” he added.