Eastern Visayas officials attend Lakas-Kampi merger meet

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 27, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Top Eastern Visayas officials are scheduled to attend the joint meeting of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) to be presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Five governors of Eastern Visayas have been invited to attend the important political event because they are either affiliated with the Lakas-CMD party or Kampi.

The notice of the joint meeting was sent to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Biliran Governor Roger Espina, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone by Lakas Secretary General, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who said that the National Consolidation and Unification Committee which was tasked to work on the Lakas-Kampi merger is about to successfully conclude its mission.

Samar Governor Mila Tan belongs to Kampi and she is also expected to attend the joint meeting of the two parties at the Manila Hotel on May 28.

It was learned that the Lakas and Kampi City Mayors in the Region will also attend the joint meeting. It was also learned that Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu have also been invited to attend the joint meeting as an officer of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

Senator Zubiri in his communication said that fundamental obstacles have been satisfactory addressed and a new draft of Constitution and By-Laws for the merged Party is now ready for presentation and adoption.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, together with House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, would preside over the caucus to be attended by the national directorate of Lakas and the national council of Kampi, including all the national officers, incumbent governors, congressmen and city mayors belonging to both parties. Both Speaker of the House of Representative Nograles and Congressman Villafuerte have both resigned as party heads to give way to the merger, it was also learned.

In an earlier statement, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, Secretary Gabriel Claudio who is also from Region 8, said the “historic” meeting is for the purpose of considering the adoption and ratification of the new constitution and by-laws of the proposed merged party, which was initially suggested to be named as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.