Puno urged to stay on as Lakas vice chair

MANILA, Philippines - The Lakas-Kampi-CMD wants its vice chairman Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno to remain in the ruling party despite reports of his intentions to leave.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas-Kampi official, expressed surprise over Puno’s statement that he wants to leave the party to become non-partisan in the 2010 elections.

Puno’s announcement came days after he also declared that he is no longer running for vice president under Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Ermita said Puno is an irreplaceable asset in the administration’s political campaign in the 2010 elections.

During a press briefing at the Palace, Ermita said he had not heard anything about Puno’s plans to leave the party.

Ermita said he even checked with Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio, the party’s secretary-general, who also could not say anything about Puno’s plans.

“We have not discussed this matter with Secretary Puno but we have to respect him if that’s what he said,” Ermita told reporters.

He however maintained that the administration has not lost Puno who remains in the Cabinet and continues to serve President Arroyo.

“He (Puno) is a significant political personality,” Ermita said. “We wish that Ronnie will continue to be with us because he has a very good touch of politics and his knowledge about politics will be very helpful in the elections.”