Lakas Core Group Rallies Behind Gilberto "G1BO" Teodoro
GOVERNORS renewed yesterday their pledge to support administration presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in an emergency meeting one participant described as “political CPR.”
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the party’s campaign is “under (cardiopulmonary) resuscitation” because recent changes in the party and rumored defections have created “a general climate of uncertainty.”
He was elected vice president of the governors’ caucus, with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as president.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived at the meeting around noon, in time for the Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s executive committee resolution expressing its “solid support” for Teodoro.
“We are secure in the belief that we have the best, the brightest and the most capable candidate for president in Teodoro and electing him to office is the highest priority
of party members because the Filipino people deserve no less,” the resolution said.
Also yesterday, Teodoro’s spokesman said the party is sure he will win by a landslide in Central Visayas, particularly Cebu, because of his allies’ political machinery and the youth vote.
“The reports that President Arroyo is supporting another candidate are pure political intrigues that are natural during the election period,” said lawyer Mike Toledo.
He said at least 51 governors signed the resolution in support of Teodoro.
“Seventy percent of those running for local positions belong to Lakas-Kampi-CMD. They include the governors and mayors who are supporting Gibo,” Toledo said.
‘Villarroyo’
In a chance interview after the meeting, President Arroyo said she did not give instructions to the party since the meeting focused on a political matter.
However, the party’s vice president for membership and recruitment, Prospero Pichay, said that President Arroyo instructed them to “campaign for Teodoro and make him win on May 10.”
“And of course the vice president and the six senatorial candidates,” he added.
Vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano was not at the meeting.
Only Raul Lambino, among the six senatorial candidates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, attended.
The others are are Sens. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, broadcaster Rey Langit, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico and former justice secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Party officials downplayed allegations of secret ties between the Arroyos and the Nacionalista Party’s presidential candidate, Sen. Manny Villar.
Speculations that Villar is the “true candidate” of the Arroyos heightened following the resignation of Teodoro as party chairman. Miguel Dominguez also stepped down as president and Francis Manglapus resigned his post as the party’s secretary- general.
Teodoro, however, has said resigning his chairmanship will give him more time to focus on his candidacy.
The party’s new officials include former agriculture secretary Arthur Yap, former justice secretary Agnes Devanadera, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado and Agnes Serafin Bernardo.
Former Agusan del Sur governor Eddie Bong Plaza, who read the party’s affirmation of support, said the emergency meeting was a sort of loyalty check for the party, after some defections.
Some of the former Lakas-Kampi members who have defected are Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, now supporting Villar, and Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, now supporting Liberal Party candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III. (Sunnex)/With EOB
