Lakas-Kampi machinery continues to gain ground despite defections, Sarangani guv says

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 13 –- Leaders of administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD remain unfazed Tuesday over the reported defections by some of its noted leaders to rival political camps saying the party’s established political machinery is still intact and ready to swing resounding results in the coming May 10 synchronized national and local elections.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez, provincial chair of Lakas-Kampi CMD- Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization (Sarro), said the party’s support base and campaign machinery has continued to gain ground in the countryside despite the recent defections and rumblings by some of their members over its supposed lack of campaign funds.

"(The party) has the support of majority of the governors, mayors and other reelectionist local government officials and it has well proven its worth in the previous elections," he told reporters.

Dominguez, the erstwhile Lakas-Kampi CMD president, admitted that the party has not yet released any campaign fund to its local candidates but said they don’t much consider the matter a major problem.

He cited that most party stalwarts have established campaign resources and don’t rely much on financial backing from the group.

Dominguez, who is seeking a third term as Sarangani governor, recently stepped down as party president following the resignation as party chair of standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro, who is now making a strong push for his presidential bid.

But the governor remained an administration stalwart and reportedly within the inner circle of Teodoro’s presidential campaign.

Since last month, a number of noted Lakas-Kampi leaders have changed camps due to various reasons, among them the supposed lack of party campaign funds.

Among the Lakas-Kampi CMD stalwarts in Mindanao who switched support to rival political parties, specifically to Nacionalista Party’s (NP) presidential bet Manuel Villar, were governors Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur, Jose Zubiri of Bukidnon and Arturo Uy of Compostela Valley Province.

House Speaker and Davao City mayoral bet Prospero Nograles has also left the party and is reportedly inclined to join Villar’s NP.

Dominguez said he recently met with some Lakas-Kampi governors and congressmen and they reiterated their support to the party and Teodoro’s presidential bid.

He believes majority of the party’s leaders, especially those in the countryside, will honor their commitment to Lakas-Kampi and its standard bearer.

"We will stand tall and honor our commitments. Palabra de honor (word of honor) is very important, especially since were also seeking elective posts," he added

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