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By Jomar Canlas and Angelo S. Samonte, Reporters
After succeeding Jose de Venecia Jr. as House
Speaker, Prospero Nograles on Monday succeeded the Pangasinan
representative as president of the ruling party, Lakas-Christian
Muslim Democrats (CMD).
During the National Directorate meeting at the
Manila Hotel, de Venecia was formally ousted as party president,
even as the former Speaker had manifested that he has effectively
resigned to avert infighting.
Before the Monday meeting, de Venecia said he
decided to boycott the event, sending his representative, lawyer
Raul Lambino, instead to manifest his resignation.
De Venecia said he recommended Nograles to be
his successor, saying he will not accept the position as president
emeritus. Former President Fidel Ramos, Lakas chairman emeritus,
earlier proposed creating that position for de Venecia.
Even as a mere party member, de Venecia said he
will serve as the conscience of the party.
He added that he doesn’t want Lakas to
“become a party of corruption and a party of lizards and
snakes.”
De Venecia said he does not want to waste the
efforts he invested to form Lakas, along with Ramos and the late
Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus.
Merger with Kampi
Nograles described his ascension to the helm as
party president as the “passing of the party onto new hands.”
“It came as a natural consequence of our
desire to keep the party strong, relevant, forward-looking and in
control of its destiny,” he said.
The Davao City-based Speaker said his party’s
next move is to merge with the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi),
the original party of President Gloria Arroyo.
Through his representative Lambino, de Venecia
promised, however, to oppose the move for a Lakas-Kampi merger even
if it goes to court.
The National Directorate passed seven
resolutions, including the approval and adoption of amendments to
its constitution and bylaws, under Resolution No. 1 authored by
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Resolution No. 2 was filed as “omnibus
resolution for the nomination of the national party officers as
provided for under the amended constitution and by-laws, this
followed the election of Nograles as Lakas president.”
Resolution No. 3 creates “the possible merger
of Lakas-CMD, Kampi and other political groups.”
Resolution No. 4 creates “an electoral
consultation committee to assess the national electorate creating
the criteria for the process of selection of national and local
candidates for 2010.”
Resolution No. 5 commits “to put Lakas CMD in
the forefront to sustain economic growth and progress.”
Resolution No. 6 reaffirms the party’s
“unwavering and wholehearted support” for President Arroyo, the
national chairman of Lakas.
Resolution No. 7 commends and honors “the
Gallant 29 members of the House of Representatives during the
Eleventh Congress, who against all odds, remained loyal to the
Lakas-CMD party.” The Gallant 29 is headed by Executive Secretary
Eduardo Ermita, then a representative of Batangas.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo has endorsed the merger
of Lakas and Kampi, urging them to form a political “colossus”
and “powerhouse” to ensure victory in the 2010 presidential
elections.
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