President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has formally endorsed the merger of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino to form a political “powerhouse," but Negros solons said the merger has not been finalized yet and some do not favor the move.

The president endorsed the merger at a Lakas national directorate meeting at the Manila Hotel yesterday wherein Speaker Prospero Nograles was unanimously elected its president.

Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. (Pangasinan), who resigned from the post was named party president emeritus.

In her speech, Arroyo said a  merger of Lakas with KAMPI will ensure a  powerhouse team of five senators, an absolute majority of the House with 143 representatives, 55 governors, 85 city mayors, 945 municipal mayors and over 7,000 vice governors, board members, vice mayors and councilors.

“Our merged party will be a colossus that calls to mind Mahathir of Malaysia, whose decades-old dominant political machinery, supported by key business groups, provided the underpinning for Malaysia’s development,” she said.

Arroyo also challenged her partymates to work hard for their party’s victory in 2010, when she passes the torch.

Nograles in accepting the Lakas presidency said: “We must sharpen our political tools and consolidate our political strength in all the urban centers and in all the provinces and municipalities in preparation for 2010.”

“We must not allow our party to be undermined by local political squabbles especially the ‘sinister forces’ that seek to overthrow the leadership by the rule of mob. This party shall fight side by side with this administration in defending the Constitution,” he said.

The rule of law demands that allegations and malicious accusations must be duly proven by evidence, not by hearsay, he said.

“Not by a crying shame. And certainly not by political grandstanding,” he added.

Rep. Monico Puentevella (Bacolod), who is co-chair of Lakas in Western Visayas with Rep. Exequiel Javier (Antique), said “the merger has yet to be finalized officially after Holy Week.”

“The majority of the KAMPI members don’t want to merge with Lakas.  It is the same for Lakas as well. So I think it is impossible for the two parties to merge,” Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd district) said.

Acting Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco, Lakas provincial chairman, did not attend the national assembly saying he had previous commitments in Negros Occidental.*CPG

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