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Bayani hits ‘favoritism’ within Lakas-Kampi


Presidential aspirant Bayani Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday hit what he perceived as favoritism within the administration party in picking its standard bearer for next year’s national elections. Fernando noted that Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, president of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, seemed to be inclined toward Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. while presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, the party's secretary general, has been urging Vice President Noli de Castro to join their ranks in order to be part of the selection process. "Sana maging patas para sa lahat ang gagawing selection process at hindi yung kanya-kanyang manok ang ipipilit na ipasok. Mahirap naman kung may kinikilingan na agad, baka imbes na interes ng mamamayan sariling interes ang isulong," he said. (I hope the selection process will be fair and devoid of favoritism. This is not about personal interests but of the nation’s.)


Fernando likewise called for a convention prior to the selection process "to hear the true sentiments of the Lakas-Kampi party members and allow them to make a choice." Taking potshots at both Teodoro and De Castro, the MMDA chairman said only "loyal and original members" of the party should be included in the selection process. Teodoro was a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) before joining Lakas-Kampi-CMD last July while De Castro has yet to decide if he will join the party despite personal invitation from no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Lakas-Kampi-CMD is set to name its standard bearer on September 16. Fernando, a former Marikina mayor known for his no-nonsense style of leadership, said he is still confident that he will clinch the nomination considering his vast executive and managerial experience. "I’m confident that I will clinch the nomination of the party and when that happens I have an equal chance as any of the candidates. I have the experience, the determination and the political will lacking in other candidates," he said. - GMANews.TV
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