Arroyo scolds colleagues as Lakas mulls 2010 bet - solon

MANILA, Philippines – More than a year before the 2010 presidential elections, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo still refuses to name or even give a hint of her administration's standard bearer, saying she wants to focus on her work.

At one time, those who asked were even scolded, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed Wednesday.

Zubiri – the secretary general of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) – also said that he and others had also asked Mrs. Arroyo the question, who brushed aside the queries by saying: "I just want to concentrate on my work."

"Pag nakikita kami ni Presidente, tinatanong namin palagi sa kanya kung sino ang standard bearer ng administrasyon [Whenever we see the President we always ask her who will be the administration's standard bearer], but she brushes us aside," Zubiri told reporters.

The senator admitted that the President got irritated last week when members of Lakas brought up the matter during her visit to Bukidnon.

"Last week, nga pinagalitan kami. Why did we bring it up daw [She scolded us when we brought up the matter]," Zubiri said.

Zubiri believes it is the right time for Lakas-CMD to come up with its lineup for 2010 as the Liberal Party has already released its senatorial bets for the coming polls.

"I think it is about time that the Lakas leaders should work on a full line up as well as a possible contenders for the presidency in 2010," Zubiri said.

The senator said the executive committee of Lakas would be meeting February to discuss the details of their party convention in March. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV