Palace exec: Arroyo eyes Kampi-Lakas merger

(Updated 7:43 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will push for the alliance of her political party, Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), and ruling political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat (Lakas-CMD) to ensure the administration’s victory in the 2010 elections. A radio report quoted Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio as saying that President Arroyo would tackle the issue during a caucus scheduled on Thursday at Clark Field, Pampanga. President Arroyo, the national chairman of Lakas-CMD and the founder of Kampi, will preside over the meeting, along with House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr, the party’s national president, and former President Fidel Ramos, chairman emeritus. Claudio further said President Arroyo is also is open to make alliance with other political parties. In a statement, members of Lakas-CMD said they would "leave no stone unturned" in ensuring the administration's victory in next year’s elections. “Our primordial concern is to win the presidency in 2010. This is the objective which Lakas-CMD will not compromise,” Lakas executive director Ramundo Roquero said. Roquero added that the party would create a national selection committee that would screen and pick the party's national and local candidates. The criteria will be created by the selection committee that will be composed of representatives from Congress, Malacañang, and local government units. Roquero said the committee is a crucial step to enable Lakas to field its strongest candidates through a "fair and transparent process." "Each Lakas member would be asked to declare a commitment to strengthen the party and to work without reservation for the victory of the party’s choice for president and vice-president in 2010," he said. Roquero also said the party is taking steps to ensure that they would be "safe from opposition raids” that are expected to heat up this year. - GMANews.TV