Lakas
"rebels" eye peace talks soon
Thwarting a major revolt
among its "disgruntled" members, the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD in the province
appears keeping its dominance in place as some party mates who have earlier expressed
withdrawal of support to party leaders are now initiating dialogues with colleagues. Two
Lakas stalwarts who were signatories of a manifesto which denounced the leadership
of the administration party disclosed to the Chronicle yesterday that back-channel
talks are underway to settle "some of the minor differences involving certain
members" of the party. The
two administration party members, who asked not to be identified while negotiations
are ongoing, admitted that there are other signatories of the said manifesto who
want to sit down with the provincial party leaders. They
said there were signatories of the manifesto who actually do not have plans of
supporting or joining the opposition camp. Beset
by internal conflicts since late last year, the Lakas party in the province has
not been holding party conferences or consultations which complicated matters
with several members seeking the same position in the May elections, the Chronicle
source explained. Although
there are many members who are seen to have no more chances at reconciliation,
especially those who are pitted against a fellow member of Lakas for the same
elective position, the two Lakas officials said discussions would help clarify
issues and concerns that party bosses have not openly threshed out in a province-wide
party convention.
| | | The
signatories of the manifesto hitting Lakas provincial standard bearer and gubernatorial
bet Rep. Edgar Chatto and Lakas national president and Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez
included Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas, Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren, 2nd district
board member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy, Danao Mayor Louis Thomas Gonzaga, Getafe
Mayor Theresa Camacho, Lila Mayor Telesforo Balagosa, Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono
Jumamoy, Buenavista Mayor Elsa Tirol, Talibon Mayor Juanario Item, Dagohoy Mayor
Germinio Relampagos and Jagna councilor Senen Lloren. Two
signatories are in the provincial slate of Chatto - reelectionist board member
Jumamoy and Lloren, who is running for a seat in the provincial board representing
the 3rd district. | NATURAL
CONSEQUENCE Board
member Alfonso Damalerio II, a Lakas member, said the party could not prevent
defections among partymates and there may even be more as the campaign period
starts in a few days. But
Albur mayoralty candidate Efren Tungol blamed Gov. Erico Aumentado for the rift
among party heavyweights, mainly for pushing the candidacy of Mayor Salinas for
the first district Congress seat. According
to Tungol, the governor never conducted consultations in choosing candidates to
be fielded in several municipalities. Damalerio
said the conflicts among members is a resultant-fallout of the apparently flawed
selection process. However, he added that the party will gain from the defection
of some members who have finally come out in the open after there have been claims
many party mates are just "Lakas on paper". Damalerio,
who is actively campaigning for the gubernatorial bid of Chatto, said Lakas leaders
are hoping to put aside the internal conflicts and the planned "revolt"
by some members so that they can concentrate on the campaign for the May elections.
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