Recto, Ate Vi bolt Lakas for LP

MANILA, Philippines - Former socio-economic planning secretary Ralph Recto and his wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, have joined the Liberal Party (LP).

At Malacañang, presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said the Rectos’ departure from the

pro-administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD would be a “considerable loss.”

“Admittedly it’s a considerable loss, not necessarily organizationally, but having a popular political and entertainment person campaigning for another presidential candidate,” he said in a telephone interview.

“Nobody can dispute the immense popularity (of Santos-Recto).”

Claudio said the couple informed them they were going to move to another party.

“But I guess that was a decent thing to do (seeking permission to leave),” he said.

However, he was surprised that the Rectos joined the LP instead of the Nacionalista Party (NP) as earlier reported, Claudio said.

In leaving Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Recto said the nation needs a leader who can “tap the best in us,” and that they have found this kind of leadership in the presidential and vice-presidential tandem of Senators Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Roxas II.

“But in making our decision, many variables have to be taken into consideration,” he said.

“I first consulted probably a thousand of our friends, allies and supporters, and Noynoy is the dominant choice.

“The bottom line is that this country needs a lot of fixing to do and the one with the large moral capital who can lead and inspire us to take tough but right choice as a people is Noynoy.”

Recto said it was a “heart-wrenching exercise” in arriving at the decision to join LP.

“Manny (Villar) is a close friend,” he said.

“In his battles and mine, I have shared many foxholes with him, from the time he banged the gavel to impeach Erap (former President Joseph Estrada) to many legislative battles in Congress.

“I am going to say on record that Manny is prepared to become CEO (chief executive officer) of this country.”

Recto said he had decided to join the LP after news came out that they were trying to choose between LP and NP.

“Sometimes a leader has to follow what his constituents tell him,” he said.

“This time, my fellowmen are telling me that bottom up decision making is the call of the hour.”

In Batangas City, Governor Santos-Recto told reporters yesterday they had rigid consultations with their political leaders before deciding to join LP.

“The major factor that we considered before supporting any party is the presence of leadership competence or an administration that is truthful and can give inspiration to the people,” she said.

“Naging maayos naman ang aming pagpapaalam kay Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and with Secretary Hernando Nani Perez para sa aming move na lumipat sa Liberal Party.”

Santos-Recto said their decision was inspired by Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino.

“ With the calamities that happened in our country and all the turmoil and anomalies we’ve experienced in our country, we need now an inspiration that can lead us to a brighter future,” she said.

Santos-Recto said she will seek re-election in tandem with Vice Gov. Jose Antonio “Mark” Leviste II next year.

“Our tandem is final,” she said. “Mark will be my vice-governor. We want to be given another chance to serve Batangas,”

Santos-Recto said that they decided to join Noynoy because they believe that he has the solution to the nation’s problems.

“I think Noynoy can give us that inspiration because of the inspiration instilled to us by his parents,” she said.

Santos-Recto said they also considered Aquino’s good ratings in deciding to join the party.

“Definitely our move in joining the Liberal party will surely help Sen. Ralph Recto’s bid in the senatorial race after his unpopular decision in pushing the E-VAT law.”

Santos-Recto said their decision was also based on her belief that Aquino would support her projects in Batangas.

She will probably take over from former Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas as LP chairman in Batangas, Santos-Recto said.

Ralph Recto’s name was on the LP senatorial slate announced during its National Executive Council Meeting in Cubao, Quezon City.

Others in the list were detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim; former senators Sergio Osmeña and Franklin Drilon; Representatives Rozzano Biazon of Muntinlupa, Teofisto Guingona III of Bukidnon and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan; former lawmaker Nereus Acosta and Sonia Roco, widow of the late senator Raul Roco.

Aquino and Roxas welcomed the Rectos to LP during the LP’s National Executive Council Meeting.

Their formal oath taking has been set.

Aquino said he and other LP leaders discussed their plans if elected with Recto during dinner in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday night.

Roxas said they did not enter into “deals” with the Rectos for them to join LP.

Present during the official declaration of candidates were actor Cesar Montano, who also ran and lost as senator in 2007 under the administration ticket, and other members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD and other parties who had decided to join LP.

Lakas-Kampi to field new candidate in Batangas

Pro-administration Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay said Lakas-Kampi-CMD party will field a new gubernatorial candidate in Batangas.

“We also have equally talented and capable members who are willing to challenge her (Santos-Recto) and fill the possible void if any in the province of Batangas,” she said.— Aurea Calica, Arnell Ozaeta, Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla