Lakas-Kampi stages show of force today

MANILA, Philippines – In an effort to consolidate its remaining forces, the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD is expected to stage a show of force today in its national convention to map out strategy in maintaining the ruling party’s hold on power.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the convention would formally launch the tandem of former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and television host Edu Manzano as the party’s standard-bearer and vice presidential candidate, respectively.

Ermita stressed Lakas is still the party to contend with in the 2010 elections, notwithstanding the spate of defections from its ranks.

“Definitely we really are in the game from Day One. Don’t misunderstand that we ever considered that we are not in the game,” Ermita said in a news briefing.

“We always brag about us being the strongest and the most organized party. Therefore we are going through that exercise to launch our candidates, and precisely, this is it, a show of force, if you may call it that,” he said.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said about 3,000 party leaders and members are expected to attend the gathering at the Philippine International Convention Center today.

At the convention, President Arroyo, along with Ermita and Claudio, will formally relinquish their respective posts and allow Teodoro to steer the party in preparation for the 2010 elections.

Teodoro will be the new party chairman succeeding Mrs. Arroyo, while Ermita and Claudio will be succeeded by Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez and Francis Manglapus, as president and secretary-general of the party, respectively.

The convention will also ratify the party’s new bylaws drafted following the merger of Lakas-CMD and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Teodoro and Manzano are expected to deliver their acceptance speeches.

The convention would display a new look for the party typified by a new generation of leaders taking over the reins of leadership.

The convention theme, “Ang Bagong Mukha ng Lakas-Kampi CMD (the new face of Lakas Kampi-CMD),” would stress the party’s forward-looking philosophy that builds upon its great tradition and image as the “party of the future.”

The party leadership has planned a tight, two-hour spectacle touted to be a “feast for the eyes, an appeal to the heart and an inspiration to the intellect.”

The party’s deputy secretary-general, Ray Roquero, said the preparations have been completed for the convention.

“We have left no stone unturned to make this convention a success,” he said.

Ermita said today’s convention will “show to the whole world that Lakas-Kampi-CMD is ready for political combat and we are confident of where it stands right now.”

• Philstar

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