Comelec approves Lakas-Kampi merger

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday accredited the Lakas-Kampi-CMD as a national party. In an 18-page decision penned by Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the poll body's second division said the merger of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino has complied with the requirements stated under Section 60 of the Omnibus Election Code. “Lakas-Kampi-CMD has fully shown that it is qualified to be registered as a political party and that it has complied with all the procedural requirements needed for it to be registered and accredited as a national political party," the resolution read. Among the requirements are having a full name for the party, a principal headquarters, name of officers, extent of constituency, program of government, declaration to uphold the Constitution, and to not be funded by any foreign government. The merger was questioned by Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., one of the Lakas-CMD founders, saying it was against the party’s charter since no national assembly was convened prior to the union. De Venecia, who quit his post as party president after he had a falling-out with the Arroyo administration, said the party also did not ratify the decision of its National Directorate to merge with Kampi as required by Lakas-CMD's constitution and by-laws. De Venecia, in a petition filed last July 21, asked the Comelec to nullify the merger. Late petition The Comelec however noted that De Venecia was late with his petition, saying it came after the merged party’s accreditation had already been heard by the poll body. “The July 16 hearing for the accreditation was published five days before in three newspapers of general circulations, all persons who oppose the accreditation are deemed to be notified, any opposition submitted after the hearing should be considered as being filed out of time," it said. It also said De Venecia failed to present a justiciable issue to back his request to nullify the Lakas-Kampi-CMD merger. “His alleged cause of action against the interim officers of good standing of Lakas-CMD by scheming ‘to keep the center of power in the hands of a cabal of people for their own personal and selfish ends’ is a political and not a justiciable issue over which the Commission has no jurisdiction," the resolution read. However, the Comelec said it has no authority to stop and intervene in the plans of Lakas-CMD from forming a coalition with the administration or from “advocating Charter Change through a Senate-less mode." Amado Valdez, De Venecia's lawyer, alleged that Lakas-Kampi-CMD plans to amend the 1987 Constitution as manifested by the passage of House Resolution 1109 by administration lawmakers at the House of Representatives. Welcome Malacañang, meanwhile, welcomed Comelec’s ruling. Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio, who is also Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary general, said the decision should dismiss questions about the merged party’s strength and influence. “There should be no more doubt nor intrigue about the administration party’s being the biggest and best prepared political vehicle for the election of the worthiest candidates for the national and local elections next year," he said. With De Venecia’s petition out of the way, Claudio said they could now allow their members to focus on the upcoming 2010 polls. “This will now allow party members nationwide to prepare for the polls with confidence and focus. Given this confidence, we also expect new recruits to boost the party’s ranks," he said. The Lakas-Kampi-CMD formalized its merger last May 28 in preparation for next year’s elections. Accredited political parties are allowed to field their own candidates for both national and local posts. They will also be entitled to receive copies of election returns, statement of votes, and other important documents during the elections. - GMANews.TV