October 13, 2003, The Philippine Star, 'Lakas to grow stronger with looming alliances', by Mayen Jaymalin,

October 13, 2003, The Philippine Star, 'Lakas to grow stronger with looming alliances', by Mayen Jaymalin,

The ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats will soon forge a union with other political parties and thus remain the strongest and biggest political party in the country, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday. 

He said that contrary to reports, Lakas was not weakened by the departure of top party officials led by Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and the Reporma party from the People Power Coalition (PPC). 

"There were departures but there will also be other parties who will join so I think Lakas will even be stronger than before," Bunye said. 

On the other hand, Sen. Edgardo Angara predicted that the extension of the deadline for the filing of candidacy from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15 next year will trigger profound changes in the political scene. 

"Some may opt out of the race while others who are disinterested in politics at this point may join the electoral contest out of genuine concern to serve the country and the people," he said. 

The Commission on Elections agreed to extend the period for the filing of candidacy last week during a congressional hearing on the preparations being undertaken by the Comelec for clean, honest and orderly elections. 

Angara said the one-month extension is of immense benefit to the country and the candidates. "That period will give political aspirants more time and enough opportunity to honestly ask themselves why they seek public office and what they stand for." 

Earlier reports said other political parties belonging to the Lakas-led PPC are set to bolt the coalition to dramatize their objection to President Arroyo’s decision to run in next year’s presidential elections. 

Bunye admitted there were political and civil society groups that were dismayed by Mrs. Arroyo’s turnaround but he said there are more groups that support her decision. 

"Based from the feedback we received, there are more groups from the government and members of civil society who support the decision of the President to run in 2004," he said. 

Bunye added that the President will try to meet with the groups maintaining an open stance and explain to them her reasons for reversing her Dec. 30 decision not to seek a fresh mandate. 

Reporma officials announced last Friday they are rallying behind Guingona, who resigned as Lakas president last week, though they had announced last year they will support the presidential candidacy of former education secretary Raul Roco. 

While a Lakas official said Reporma bolted from PPC due to local politics in Batangas, other sources said Reporma’s decision was part of the seemingly increasing cooperation among Reporma, Roco’s Aksyon Demokratiko party and the Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative (Promdi) party of former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña. 

The three parties are all part of the PPC, which also includes the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco and the Liberal Party, led by Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad. 

The NPC, for its part, has formed a three-member committee that will make recommendations on decisions the party has to make concerning the 2004 elections. — With Antonieta Lopez