November 4, 2009, 5:42pm
Touted by drumbeaters as the party to beat in the 2010 elections, the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD is suffering from a dearth of senatorial candidates that it plans to adopt Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor Santiago, both non-party members, in its lineup.The ruling party is also eyeing a coalition with the Nationalist People’s Coalition in an apparent bid to pair Senator Loren Legarda, a popular vice presidential hopeful, with Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.
At the Ayes and Nays News Forum Wednesday, Reginald Velasco, party secretary general, disclosed that LKC is ready to retain its coalition arrangement with the NPC for next year’s national and local elections.
The LKC, the country’s biggest, is one of two parties eyeing Legarda as its vice presidential bet, with the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manuel Villar reportedly having the inside track.
But with veteran NPC members sympathizing with his presidential cause, Teodoro appeared to be a sentimental choice among leaders of the party founded by his uncle, business mogul Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, to be Legarda’s partner.
As a member of the second biggest political group in the country, Legarda is expected to bolster the chances of Villar or any presidential hopeful.
Velasco revealed that so far, LKC has Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla and a number of Cabinet men in the senatorial slate.
He mentioned Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves as the other probable senatorial bets.
Aside from the three, the party will back the re-election of Santiago and Enrile, who are both members of the national team put up by former President Joseph Estrada.
Velasco said the LKC will soon hold its general membership convention at the Philippine International Convention Center with over 3,000 party members expected to attend.
In the same news forum, NPC spokesman and Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian confirmed that both the NP and LKC are trying to win Legarda over, but the decision as to where Legarda will end up depends on the party’s general membership.
Gatchalian said among those expected to suit up for the NPC senatorial slate are Tourism Secretary Ace Durano; Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza; former Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; and former Asst. Secretary Susana “Toots” Ople, daughter for the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople.
For his part, NP senatorial bet Adel Tamano said the party has already filled up eight of the party’s 12 senatorial slots that include reelectionist Sen. Pia Cayetano; former NEDA Secretary General Ralph Recto; Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.; detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin; former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla; and possibly militant Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna.
Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/227934/ruling-party-can-t-complete-lineup
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