THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday has given the merging of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) the go-signal, effectively repudiating the complaint filed by former House Speaker Jose de Venecia against the new party. In an 18–page resolution written by Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the poll body stated that Lakas-Kampi CMD “has fully shown that it has complied not only with the Constitutional but also with the procedural requirements.”

The resolution cited de Venecia’s filing of the petition as a “belated opposition” since the Pampanga lawmaker failed to protest the merger before the scheduled hearing for the party that was set on July 16.
De Venecia filed his protest petition on July 21.

The resolution said further, “The track record, extent of constituency and membership of Lakas-Kampi-CMD . . . is beyond dispute.”

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said in a statement that with the Comelec’s decision, the party could now prepare for the 2010 polls with confidence and focus.

The statement added it is “undeniable” that Lakas-CMD and Kampi are two of the national political parties that have the most number of incumbent national and local elective officials.

The Comelec said de Venecia’s cause of action against the party “is a political and not a justiciable issue over which the Commission has no jurisdiction.”

De Venecia said that in order for the merged party’s officers to succeed in their scheme, they ousted him as party president of Lakas-CMD, railroaded the amending of the 1987 Constitution through a Constituent
Assembly and continued on with the merger despite it being against the principles and objectives of Lakas-CMD.

According to Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, de Venecia’s camp can file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days upon the receipt of the resolution otherwise, the poll body decision will be “final and executory.”

Earlier this month, the merged party made known that their standard-bearer for the 2010 elections will be Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

The official merging of the two political parties was announced by President Gloria Arroyo on May 28 at The Manila Hotel.

Kampi was founded in 1998 during the time President Arroyo made her bid to the vice presidency alongside de Venecia as the party’s standard-bearer.

Among the merged party’s interim officials are: President Arroyo, chairperson; Eduardo Ermita, national president; Prospero Nograles and Ronaldo Puno, vice chairman; Pablo Garcia, executive vice president; and Gabriel Claudio, secretary general.
Bernice Camille V. Bauzon with Angelo S. Samonte