Arroyo forces beefing up for 2010; Lakas, Kampi to merge

MANILA, Philippines - The presidents of majority parties Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) have resigned from their posts to give President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a "free hand" over the two parties' plans for the 2010 elections. House Speaker Prospero Nograles of Lakas-CMD and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte of Kampi (the political party of President Arroyo) announced their respective resignations on the first day of the resumption of Congress session Monday. The two party leaders said they are committed to the merger of the two parties to ensure the administration's victory in the upcoming polls. "In order to fast-track the process of merger and give President Gloria Macpaagal Arroyo a free hand in determining the appropriate leadership structure for the prospective consolidated party, we hereby announce our respective resignations as presidents of Lakas and Kampi effective upon acceptance by the President," said the two officials in a joint statement read by Nograles in a press conference. Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, who chairs the two parties' National Consolidation and Unification Committee, will address all issues pertinent to the merger, which Villafuerte and Nograles said is expected to be completed within 45 days. "Among other advantages, a single political entity arising out of the merged Lakas and Kampi parties will allow, if not compel, administration allies to field single electoral tickets at the local level, thus enabling themselves to work for the victory of national candidates with greater unity and focus," the joint statement read. Nograles said the two parties have not yet chosen their standard bearer for 2010 as they still "have to iron out the kinks on the local level." Nograles said their commitment to the conduct of the 2010 elections as scheduled should allay fears that they want political terms extended. "The elections will go through so disabuse your mind anymore that any proposal to amend the Constitution has something to do with extension of terms or converting to something that will not be in harmony with the presidential elections, the general elections, of 2010," he said. The two congressmen have been slammed for their respective Charter change-related resolutions, with critics saying President Arroyo's allies in the House are only looking to extend political terms. Nograles is the author of House Resolution 737, which seeks to lift restrictions on foreign ownership of lands and corporations in the country. The resolution, which has been approved by the committee on constitutional amendments, is currently up for plenary debate. Villafuerte, meanwhile, drafted a still unfiled but controversial resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly. The resolution, which already has 175 signatories, will be filed by Nograles "within the week" pending consultations with key House leaders. Villafuerte reiterated that his resolution specifically states that the 2010 elections should go on as scheduled, adding that his only intention in drafting the measure was to create a justiciable controversy that will compel the Supreme Court to rule whether Congress should vote jointly or separately in a constituent assembly. He said he does not expect specific amendments to be raised and debated on before the 2010 elections, saying that he will be satisfied if the issue reaches the Supreme Court to "resolve the issue of interpretation." A justiciable controversy will be created once the governing rules and regulations for the convening of a constituent assembly is established if his resolution is approved in the committee level and in the plenary, said Villafuerte. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV