Lakas revamp under way

The ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) is undertaking a revamp of its leadership and improving links with various sectors to strengthen the party and make it more relevant.

President Arroyo has also assured Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. of her support for his leadership in the House of Representatives amid reports that some disgruntled congressmen are again plotting to unseat him.

The reports were triggered in part after presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo took a leave from the party late last year, citing personal reasons. The young Arroyo is also a member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), founded by the President in 1997.

Both Lakas and Kampi belong to the administration coalition.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo called him up from Switzerland, where she was attending the World Economic Forum, to direct him to tell De Venecia of her continued support.

De Venecia is reportedly in Jakarta.

“The President called me up from Switzerland just to tell me to assure the Speaker of her support because there are some groups wanting to create a split in the administration coalition,” Ermita said but did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, a ranking Lakas-CMD official said Rep. Arroyo will remain in the party and would in fact be designated chairman for Region 3 in the revamp, replacing former congressman Renato Diaz.

The changes would be announced during Lakas-CMD’s major meeting on Feb. 7 in Manila with Mrs. Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, who is the party’s chairman emeritus, and De Venecia, leading the convention.

Another possible movement in the party is the designation of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as secretary-general and spokesman, replacing former senator Heherson Alvarez.

Alvarez will be designated Lakas vice president for Luzon, the party official said.

Former justice secretary Hernando Perez was also reportedly named as vice president for policy.

Incumbent Lakas senators would be named senior vice presidents while former senators, including Ralph Recto and Juan Flavier, would be designated as ex-officio members of the party’s national directorate, the official said.

Another party official said De Venecia furnished Ermita with a manifesto drawn up by some Kampi lawmakers seeking a merger with Lakas.

Lakas and Kampi, the second largest party in the House, have frequently traded accusations of party raiding.

Many administration lawmakers, however, hold dual membership in Lakas and Kampi, adding confusion as to the actual strength of the two parties in the House.

Ermita said he received a copy of an undated manifesto signed by some Kampi members, including Mrs. Arroyo’s brother-in-law Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, Biliran Rep. Gerry Espina and Antipolo City Rep. Victor Sumulong.

The Lakas convention next month is meant to “consolidate the party and bring it closer to the people” as well as to highlight the party’s leadership in the country’s economic and political reforms in the last 15 years, Ermita said.

He said Lakas will be conducting surveys among Filipinos as to what they think should be the legislative priorities of both the Senate and the House.

“Lakas will continue to take the lead in not only pushing but fully implementing economic and political reforms for the country,” Ermita said, adding one of the party’s reform measures in Congress helped put the country in the path to zero budget deficit.

He also pointed out that a majority of the committee leaderships in the House are held by Lakas lawmakers.