Gordon turns down Lakas invite, pushes for coalition
Senator Richard Gordon yesterday spurned the call of the leadership of the Lakas-Kampi for pro-administration presidential aspirants to join the newly-formed ruling party if they wish to be counted for its presidential nomination.
Gordon said while he wants to be chosen administration standard-bearer in the 2010 elections, he prefers not to be a card-bearing member of Lakas-Kampi because he has formed his own group, the Bagumbayan.
The senator from Olongapo City has opted to become independent even if he won the 2004 senatorial election under the administration banner. Lakas-Kampi stalwarts have mentioned Gordon among the stable of potential presidential bets of the administration. But he did not attend the recent assembly of Lakas and Kampi leaders at the Manila Hotel in which they sealed the merger of the two parties.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas-Kampi interim president, said the presidential hopefuls should sign up with the administration party if they want to make it to the shortlist of nominees.
“It is as if they are trying to say that it’s tempting to be part of a big party machinery. But I cannot accept their invitation. I have already launched the Bagumbayan,” Gordon told the Kapihan sa Senado.
He said there can only be one acceptable arrangement for him —for Lakas-Kampi and Bagumbayan to forge a coalition.
The call of the Lakas-Kampi leadership is also addressed to Vice President Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who are both partyless.
De Castro said he is not keen on joining Lakas-Kampi for the moment because he wants to avoid partisan politics and to concentrate on his duties as member of the Arroyo Cabinet.
Teodoro, on the other hand, has signified his willingness to join the administration party. Fel V. Maragay - Manila Standard Today
Gordon said while he wants to be chosen administration standard-bearer in the 2010 elections, he prefers not to be a card-bearing member of Lakas-Kampi because he has formed his own group, the Bagumbayan.
The senator from Olongapo City has opted to become independent even if he won the 2004 senatorial election under the administration banner. Lakas-Kampi stalwarts have mentioned Gordon among the stable of potential presidential bets of the administration. But he did not attend the recent assembly of Lakas and Kampi leaders at the Manila Hotel in which they sealed the merger of the two parties.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas-Kampi interim president, said the presidential hopefuls should sign up with the administration party if they want to make it to the shortlist of nominees.
“It is as if they are trying to say that it’s tempting to be part of a big party machinery. But I cannot accept their invitation. I have already launched the Bagumbayan,” Gordon told the Kapihan sa Senado.
He said there can only be one acceptable arrangement for him —for Lakas-Kampi and Bagumbayan to forge a coalition.
The call of the Lakas-Kampi leadership is also addressed to Vice President Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who are both partyless.
De Castro said he is not keen on joining Lakas-Kampi for the moment because he wants to avoid partisan politics and to concentrate on his duties as member of the Arroyo Cabinet.
Teodoro, on the other hand, has signified his willingness to join the administration party. Fel V. Maragay - Manila Standard Today
Labels: bagumbayan, kampi, Lakas-DMC, Olongapo City, presidentiables, Sen. Richard Gordon
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
6:22 PM
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