By BEN R. ROSARIO (Manila Bulletin )
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/253608/gma-acts-strengthen-lakas
As defections continued to threaten her political party, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo moved Monday to prevent further bleeding in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD as she met with 125 of the party’s congressional bets to tell them that she expects a return of the favors they owed her.
“Let us stick together,” Mrs. Arroyo told party mates as she reminded them that she rarely seeks favors from party mates in return for the help the Lakas-Kampi CMD (LKC) has given them.
Fresh from a series of trips abroad, Mrs. Arroyo dropped by a hastily called political caucus at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City a few minutes after her party mates handed their presidential bet, former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., a manifesto “individually and collectively” committing to deliver to him a landslide victory in their respective congressional districts on May 10.
Teodoro left a few minutes before Mrs. Arroyo’s arrival to attend a meeting with provincial leaders of Rizal province.
Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa, LKC chairperson, said the Dusit Hotel caucus was one of two meetings that were set for congressional and gubernatorial bets of the party. Another meeting was scheduled today in Cebu City, this time for party members running for governor.
“We stick together, we stay as one, we work for the presidential election of our candidate Gibo Teodoro and make sure that on Election Day lahat ng boto ay mabilang at siya ang maging President natin from 2010 onward,” Villarosa quoted Mrs. Arroyo as telling them during the 15-minute closed-door meeting with the Chief Executive.
Despite the failure of the 44 other congressional candidates to show up on short notice, the 125 present pledged to strongly campaign for Teodoro, said Villarosa.
“The so-called defections hardly made a dent on our membership list. Only a handful have left but many are still joining,” she added.
On the other hand, LKC president Francis Manglapus said Mrs. Arroyo, who is the party’s president emeritus, explained to her party mates why Teodoro must win the presidential derby.
"It is the duty of the party to present to the public the most qualified candidate. She told us that we should continue to work for Secretary Teodoro’s victory,” said Manglapus.
Immediately after Mrs. Arroyo’s pep talk to allies, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega stood up to clarify to the President that LKC congressmen tracing their roots to Ilocano-speaking provinces remained solid for Teodoro.
Ortega belied reports that party members in Northern Luzon provinces have abandoned Teodoro’s presidential campaign, pointing out that only Deputy Speaker Eric Singson left to support his cousin, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, who is backing Sen. Manuel Villar.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga clarified that the two party caucuses were called to determine loyalty of party mates.
Vice chairman for members Prospero Pichay said the meeting should be considered as a “show of force” and a guarantee that Teodoro would win the elections.
Asked to comment about the decision of Albay Gov. Jose Salceda to jump ship, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the local LKC alliance remains intact despite Salceda’s plight.
“That is a solo flight, the one who defected, defected alone. That was a solitary adventurism,” Lagman said.
Meanwhile, one of the congressmen in the caucus – Rep. Jesus E. Madrona of Romblon—left the LKC party hours after the meeting, saying he only attended to show his loyalty to the President. He joined Romblon Gov. Natalio Beltran III in transferring to the Nacionalista Party of the Villar camp.
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/253608/gma-acts-strengthen-lakas
As defections continued to threaten her political party, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo moved Monday to prevent further bleeding in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD as she met with 125 of the party’s congressional bets to tell them that she expects a return of the favors they owed her.
“Let us stick together,” Mrs. Arroyo told party mates as she reminded them that she rarely seeks favors from party mates in return for the help the Lakas-Kampi CMD (LKC) has given them.
Fresh from a series of trips abroad, Mrs. Arroyo dropped by a hastily called political caucus at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City a few minutes after her party mates handed their presidential bet, former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., a manifesto “individually and collectively” committing to deliver to him a landslide victory in their respective congressional districts on May 10.
Teodoro left a few minutes before Mrs. Arroyo’s arrival to attend a meeting with provincial leaders of Rizal province.
Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa, LKC chairperson, said the Dusit Hotel caucus was one of two meetings that were set for congressional and gubernatorial bets of the party. Another meeting was scheduled today in Cebu City, this time for party members running for governor.
“We stick together, we stay as one, we work for the presidential election of our candidate Gibo Teodoro and make sure that on Election Day lahat ng boto ay mabilang at siya ang maging President natin from 2010 onward,” Villarosa quoted Mrs. Arroyo as telling them during the 15-minute closed-door meeting with the Chief Executive.
Despite the failure of the 44 other congressional candidates to show up on short notice, the 125 present pledged to strongly campaign for Teodoro, said Villarosa.
“The so-called defections hardly made a dent on our membership list. Only a handful have left but many are still joining,” she added.
On the other hand, LKC president Francis Manglapus said Mrs. Arroyo, who is the party’s president emeritus, explained to her party mates why Teodoro must win the presidential derby.
"It is the duty of the party to present to the public the most qualified candidate. She told us that we should continue to work for Secretary Teodoro’s victory,” said Manglapus.
Immediately after Mrs. Arroyo’s pep talk to allies, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega stood up to clarify to the President that LKC congressmen tracing their roots to Ilocano-speaking provinces remained solid for Teodoro.
Ortega belied reports that party members in Northern Luzon provinces have abandoned Teodoro’s presidential campaign, pointing out that only Deputy Speaker Eric Singson left to support his cousin, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, who is backing Sen. Manuel Villar.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga clarified that the two party caucuses were called to determine loyalty of party mates.
Vice chairman for members Prospero Pichay said the meeting should be considered as a “show of force” and a guarantee that Teodoro would win the elections.
Asked to comment about the decision of Albay Gov. Jose Salceda to jump ship, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the local LKC alliance remains intact despite Salceda’s plight.
“That is a solo flight, the one who defected, defected alone. That was a solitary adventurism,” Lagman said.
Meanwhile, one of the congressmen in the caucus – Rep. Jesus E. Madrona of Romblon—left the LKC party hours after the meeting, saying he only attended to show his loyalty to the President. He joined Romblon Gov. Natalio Beltran III in transferring to the Nacionalista Party of the Villar camp.
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