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By Maricel V. Cruz, Reporter
House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Sunday
declared that the two pillars of the administration—Lakas
Christian Muslim Democrats and the Kabalikat ng Mamayang Pilipino—will
remain as “equal partners” even if proposed merger pushes
through.
In a statement, Nograles clarified that the
merger is expected to strengthen the ties of the two administration
parties and create a powerhouse team in 2010.
Nograles, Lakas-CMD’s vice- chairman for
Mindanao, made this statement as he confirmed merger talks are still
ongoing.
“The proposal to work for merger of Lakas and
Kampi is with the explicit consent and approval of [President Gloria
Arroyo] as the head of the coalition of majority parties,” Speaker
Nograles said.
However, the Speaker said the merger can only
take place if the leaders of both parties would agree to it and this
can be finalized, depending on the outcome of the forthcoming Lakas
national convention.
“If a merger will take place, it should be for
the ideals of the administrative coalition, so it becomes a
powerhouse party in 2010. It’s a very good idea, but we have to
wait until Lakas can hold its national convention,” Nograles
pointed out.
Both parties will provide equal opportunities
for its members and no party will be more superior to the other,
Nograles added, saying the merger might solve the most complex
problems concerning the two alliances in the local levels.
In the past two elections, both Lakas and Kampi
were locked in a battle to get the nomination as administration
candidate, and many party stalwarts of each only ended up fighting
among themselves for elective positions in the local level.
Nograles clarified that the torrent of tirades
made by Lakas-CMD President and former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
against the Arroyo government will not affect the partnership of
Lakas and Kampi as valuable political allies of President Arroyo.
“Lakas and Kampi remain as strong allies
despite JdV’s attack on GMA because this is his own personal view
and not a party position,” Speaker Nograles said.
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