DESCRIBED AS “a powerhouse party,” Lakas-Kampi-CMD was formally launched on May 28 with President Macapagal-Arroyo as national chair.
The merger united Lakas-CMD, which was formed in 1991 and was headed by former President Fidel Ramos, and Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), which was formed by Ms Arroyo when she ran for vice president in 1997.
It brought under administration control 66 percent of all representatives, 72 percent of governors, 71 percent of city mayors and 73 percent of town mayors.
But at the launch at the Manila Hotel, Ramos and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, the former president of Kampi, were notably absent.
Ramos later said the merger was done in haste and without consultation.
Villafuerte did not show up because some of his preconditions were not met, such as the resolution of conflicts and the identification of leaders ahead of the merger.
On June 8, Ms Arroyo affirmed Ramos as the merger’s chair emeritus. But Ramos declined the post in a letter two months later, saying “still undone are earlier proposals, sincerely made, for broader consultations.”
On June 26, Lakas-Kampi-CMD asked the Commission on Elections for accreditation as a political party.
A month later, on July 21, Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia, the former president of Lakas-CMD, petitioned the Comelec to nullify the merger on grounds that it violated the rules and principles of the Lakas-CMD charter.
On Sept. 16, the national executive committee of Lakas-Kampi-CMD nominated Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who joined the party only in July, as its standard-bearer.
On Sept. 29, the Comelec junked De Venecia’s petition and accredited Lakas-Kampi-CMD as a political party.
De Venecia filed a motion for reconsideration, but the Comelec dismissed it on Oct. 20. Lawrence de Guzman, Inquirer Research
