Secretary Teodoro Still No VP

The ruling LAKAS-KAMPI CMD Party is still looking for the possible running mate of Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro. Two possible vice-presidentiables already rejected the offer to be under Sec. Teodoro' slate.

Senator Ramon Revilla rejected the offer saying he will be able to serve more if he will remain as a senator. Former OMB Chairman Edu Manzano also declined to be part of the ruling party. Manzano is expected to take his oath under Liberal Party of Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas. He will be one of the senatoriables of the LP. Batangas Governor Vilma Santos also rejected the offer.

With the time running out, the administration may not have a winnable candidate for the vice-presidency. Although the spokesperson for the party said that there are many viable candidates that they can choose from. It includes Senator Migz Zubiri who is from Mindanao. Another VP for Teodoro is former Senator Tito Sotto III. But with so many names coming out in the media, nobody seems to like being the running mate of Sec. Teodoro.

From the latest surveys, Secretary Teodoro is still lagging behind. He must do extra effort to communicate his platform to the people and let them know what he can do for the country.

latest update:

Edu Manzano is the chosen VP of Secretary Teodoro.

KAMPI-LAKAS CMD Merger Legal Based on SC Decision

The case filed by former Speaker Jose de Venecia questioning the validity of the merger of two powerful political party in the Philippines was turned down by the Supreme Court. The court said that the merging of Lakas and Kampi followed the procedures set by law. They have complied all the requirements and the petition of De Venecia was not covered by the jurisdiction of the courts.

Here's an excerpt of the report from GMANews

In an 18-page decision penned by Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the poll body's second division said the merger of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino has complied with the requirements stated under Section 60 of the Omnibus Election Code.

“Lakas-Kampi-CMD has fully shown that it is qualified to be registered as a political party and that it has complied with all the procedural requirements needed for it to be registered and accredited as a national political party," the resolution read.

Among the requirements are having a full name for the party, a principal headquarters, name of officers, extent of constituency, program of government, declaration to uphold the Constitution, and to not be funded by any foreign government.

The Comelec however noted that De Venecia was late with his petition, saying it came after the merged party’s accreditation had already been heard by the poll body.

“The July 16 hearing for the accreditation was published five days before in three newspapers of general circulations, all persons who oppose the accreditation are deemed to be notified, any opposition submitted after the hearing should be considered as being filed out of time," it said.

It also said De Venecia failed to present a justiciable issue to back his request to nullify the Lakas-Kampi-CMD merger.

“His alleged cause of action against the interim officers of good standing of Lakas-CMD by scheming ‘to keep the center of power in the hands of a cabal of people for their own personal and selfish ends’ is a political and not a justiciable issue over which the Commission has no jurisdiction," the resolution read.

Problems with the New Coalition LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD

Few days ago, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando commented on how the coalition handles its selection process for the presidency in 2010 elections. He asked why Vice President Noli de Castro and defense secretary Gibo Teodoro tops the lists of Presidentiables where in fact they are not yet members of the party. De Castro is an independent while Teodoro is still a member of Danding Cojuangco's political party.

Are we expecting more conflicts as the May 2010 election becomes nearer? In my point of view, it will definitely happen. Fighting for positions and endorsement will be a problem for these 3 big political parties.

So its not surprising that some opposition are going after some of its party members. It was reported that some members of LAKAS-CMD were being courted by the group of Manny Villar.

The political adviser of the president also commented on the standing of Sec. Teodoro in the surveys. If he wants to win, he should at least compete in the top list. With less than 5%, he is not the type of candidate that will win the race. However, if they use some illegal strategy, they could change the result of the election, as what the administration is doing for the past years.