Lakas men push for party caucus

Alarmed by a growing rift among party leaders, three lawmakers belonging to the pro-administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats have called for a party caucus to patch up differences and come up with an official stand on raging issues such as the "Jose Pidal" scandal.

Representatives Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valenzuela, Apolinario Lozada of Negros Occidental and Prospero Nograles of Davao City also chided Lakas-CMD director Jose Ma. Rufino for seeking disciplinary action against Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., the party’s president.

"There is supposed to be democracy in the party, where everyone is free to speak his mind," Gunigundo said. "It’s very un-Christian for Rufino to call for party sanctions against members who were just expressing their opinion on issues."

Gunigundo only recently took flak for suggesting that the First Couple legally separate as a means of riding out the political storm.

Lozada, meanwhile, said Lakas should adopt clear guidelines on how to handle issues affecting the party as there is no forum where the members can air their grievances.

"Unless the party clears up this mess and comes up with clear guidelines on the expression of ideas, then it could be disaster in the coming elections," he said.

Nograles said Guingona has the right to speak his mind even if it does not represent the position of most partymates.

"He (Guingona) has been one of the foundations of Lakas...," he said. "He meant well and has no malicious intention to weaken our party."

Guingona decried yesterday what he claimed as "black propaganda" being waged against him by "certain elements with close links to Malacañang" allegedly to pressure him to resign as Lakas president and as the country’s vice president.

In a statement, Guingona said his critics had been spreading rumors "through text messages during the weekend" that he was resigning as president of the pro-administration party.

Guingona was "deeply saddened" by the developments, the statement added.

In Zamboanga City, Councilor Charlie Mariano, a Lakas official, said the pro-administration party might "crumble" in next year’s elections because of weak leadership at the grassroots coupled with rumors that Guingona was resigning.

The problem in the national party leadership could still be saved if it has firmed up its grassroots foundation, he added.

Mariano said the leadership problem in Zamboanga City has been replicated in other parts of Mindanao.

"The local Lakas here is about to break up or would defect en masse if the national leadership will not listen (to) us," he said.

Mariano said under the standing party policy, an elected official in the highest position is automatically seated as chairman.

But former city mayor Vitaliano Agan, Lakas city chairman, who lost twice to Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), said the policy only applies in districts, and not in the city and provincial levels.

Agan said the problem of chairmanship has already divided the Lakas party in Zamboanga City, with a majority of the members on his side.

Danilo Venida, Guingona’s spokesman, said there have been stories which erroneously described Guingona as having been "merely appointed" vice president, implying that he serves at the pleasure of the President.

"It must be pointed out that after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed office following EDSA II resulting in her vacating the Office of the Vice President, Mrs. Arroyo nominated then Senator Guingona for the position," he said.

Venida said the Senate and the House of Representatives confirmed Guingona’s nomination and named him vice president.

"This is the constitutional process provided for under Article 7, Section 9 of the Constitution, which reads: ‘Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice- President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, who shall assume office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately,’" he said.

"Some functionaries" have also been making incendiary remarks which have been insulting to both the office and the person of the Vice President, he added.

Venida said Guingona has "consistently and unequivocally" pointed out that he will not waver in his determination and sworn duty to defend and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution.

"Never will Tito Guingona allow himself to be intimidated or cowed against speaking and acting in defense of truth, national interest, and public welfare," he said.

"It is the hope, and conviction, of the Vice President that his colleagues in the Lakas-CMD will not only fully respect his position, but also realize that the ruling party must transcend personality politics and join him in standing with the Filipino people."

On Saturday when the rumors started to circulate, Guingona said he had "no intention of resigning (as Lakas president) and (will) not participate in any extra-constitutional plot against the President."

Last Sunday, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Lakas will convene soon to decide what to do with Guingona, who was described as the party’s "most contrarious" member. — With Roel Pareño