Amid defections, Lakas-Kampi conducts ‘loyalty check’ on local execs

Two weeks after some of its key local officials left the party, Lakas-Kampi-CMD on Tuesday conducted a “loyalty check" on more than 30 governors running under the administration party to make sure that they are supporting its standard-bearer, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. At least 34 members of Lakas-Kampi’s National Caucus of Governors met on Tuesday at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City to “commit themselves" to rallying behind Teodoro in the presidential race. “We have to make sure. There are a lot of stories that a lot of governors are defecting. That’s why we are checking. Based on the numbers that we have, kumpleto pa naman (we are still complete)," former Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, the group’s finance officer said in a press briefing. The number of local executives who attended the meeting, however, was only half of the 63 governors who are running under the administration party in the upcoming May polls. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, currently Lakas-Kampi’s president emeritus, dropped by the meeting to express her “happiness" about the governors’ commitment to Teodoro. “She was just very happy that the governors are solid behind Gibo," Plaza said. The group of Lakas-Kampi governors likewise came up with a “manifesto of unwavering support" for Teodoro after the meeting. In the manifesto signed by 50 administration governors, the local executives pledged to “fortify efforts to secure the victory of Teodoro," who they said is “the most qualified among all the presidential candidates." The governors’ manifesto also expressed support for Lakas-Kampi’s new set of officers, led by new party chairman Rep. Amelita Villarosa. “Those who cannot commit, okay, you can go out. If you want to go out of the party, fine. What is important is that we have a solid group right now of 50 governors committed for the presidency of Gilbert Teodoro," Plaza said. The governors’ moves came weeks after the administration party was hounded by resignations and defections by several key officials. Last week, three of Lakas-Kampi’s national officers, including Teodoro himself, quit their party posts, reportedly to focus on the electoral campaign. (See: Lakas-Kampi-CMD in limbo as party president quits post) Prior to the resignations, several key members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD such as former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson and Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri also threw their support behind Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. (See: Villar-Arroyo alliance seen in Chavit’s defection from Lakas) Cebu City mayoralty candidate Alvin Garcia of the administration-allied Garcia clan, also forged an alliance with Villar last week along with members of the local opposition party, Kusug.—JV, GMANews.TV