Lakas, Kampi merger talks seen to spell end to Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines - A senior Malacañang official on Sunday said moves to amend the 1987 Constitution are losing steam as Charter change proponents and political allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have diverted their attention to the merger talks between Lakas-CMD and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi). Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Lakas-CMD’s move to fuse with Kampi is already an indication that proponents of Charter change who are mostly administration party members are having second thoughts about constitutional amendments. "The Lakas-Kampi convention in Pampanga Friday should be a clear signal to all that Malacañang’s mode is to prepare for the 2010 election," he said in a radio interview. During the Lakas caucus last Friday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told members of the Lakas and Kampi parties to move for a merger in time for the 2010 polls, despite bickering among party officials. Remonde said the ruling Lakas-CMD is now looking for candidates for national and local positions, although he admitted that Charter change remains “a legitimate political reform agenda." "Everybody should prepare for 2010 elections and that includes the opposition," he said. He also said "practical politicians" should not discount the machinery of Lakas. “It will be foolhardy for them to look down on Lakas," he added. He laughed off remarks that the Lakas faction loyal to former speaker and Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. will thwart the planned Lakas-Kampi merger. The Palace has said that preparing for clean and credible elections in 2010 remains one of the priorities of the Arroyo administration in response to critics' claims that moves to amend the Constitution will go on full steam this year. Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio chided administration critics for seeing "ghosts" of term extension in anything that Malacañang does. "Whatever the administration does, the President's critics will always see ghosts, shadows, and goblins of term extension," Claudio said. Claudio said that instead of engaging in political bickering, the administration would remain focused on preparing the country for the 2010 elections and impact of the global economic crisis. "The government will simply train its full attention and energy on effective governance, particularly in shielding our economy and people from the harsh impact of the global financial crisis. Priority governance will also include preparations for 2010, particularly in terms of ensuring clean, honest, orderly, and credible elections," Claudio said. Last December 12, 2008, thousands of people from religious, civil society, and political groups held an interfaith rally in Makati City to show their oppositions to moves in Congress, particularly in the House, to change the Constitution and possibly extend the terms of Mrs. Arroyo and other government officials. - GMANews.TV