Lakas-Kampi to rely on other alliances for 2013 senatorial bets

The Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) party will just rely on other alliances to take care of their potential senatorial candidates for the midterm elections next year, one of its leaders said Wednesday. House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, Lakas-Kampi-CMD co-chairman, said the party will not entertain any mergers, but will only rely on “reciprocity” with other political groups. “Puwede naman sigurong pakiusapan. No alliances, no mergers… pero baka naman puwede tulungan ‘yung iba naming kandidato,” Suarez said at a press briefing. The lawmaker cited as example Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, a member of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD who is reportedly being eyed to run under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Suarez added the party is still convincing Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, wife of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., to run under UNA. Revilla is Lakas president. Both UNA, LP At the same press briefing, Suarez said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, in return, will endorse senatorial candidates from other alliances to their members in the provinces. “We still have good command votes in the provinces. These are still millions which can make and unmake candidates,” he said. Suarez, however, said that his party will not limit itself to UNA for its senatorial picks. He said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD will also endorse some candidates from the ruling Liberal Party (LP). The lawmaker added that the party’s leaders will meet on Friday for initial talks on their plans for the 2013 elections. He further said that detained Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lakas-Kampi-CMD chair, has given clear instructions to him to “take care” of their local candidates. “Ang concern lang niya ay huwag pabayaan ang mga kandidato ng Lakas for 2013,” he said. Mrs. Arroyo is currently detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City for poll sabotage raps. — RSJ