Arroyo wants to be replaced as Lakas-Kampi chair

Former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to be replaced as chairperson of the opposition party Lakas-Kampi-CMD. A source said Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez is being eyed to take over the post, with Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as the new party president. During a caucus at Clark Freeport last month, party leaders saw the need to hold elections to fill up vacancies left by members who have joined the Liberal Party. Mrs. Arroyo would most likely be the party’s chairman emeritus, a post earlier offered to former President Fidel Ramos, who didn't accept it. Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado is expected to replace Raymundo Roquero as secretary general as the latter will re-assume his previous post as executive director. Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong, a Lakas-Kampi member, opposed the planned reorganization, saying Mrs. Arroyo is still the best person to lead the party. “I would still prefer GMA [Mrs Arroyo’s initials]," he told reporters Thursday. He said he would not participate in the reorganization, which he described as unnecessary. “Hindi dapat mag-reorganize. I still believe that GMA should still be there. Kung iba baka magkawatak-watak na (The party might disintegrate in the hands of other chairperson)," Ong said. He said there is no public announcement yet on the supposed reorganization. “I don’t know her personal reason for that and she has not made that publicly. No public announcement yet. I did not receive any call or any text messages from her, usually nagte-text sa amin. In fairness to her, wala namang message," Ong said. In a text message to GMANews.TV, lawyer Raul Lambino, Lakas-Kampi-CMD spokesperson, said they will decide on the matter this weekend. “We will decide on Saturday in our meeting whether a reorganization of the party is necessary or timely," he said. At present, Lakas-Kampi-CMD has 94 members in the House of Representatives. Of the number, 29 are members of the minority bloc while 65 allied themselves with the majority bloc. - KBK, GMANews.TV