Palace downplays defection of administration allies to opposition

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday downplayed the defections of some of the administration’s political allies to the opposition, saying this will not necessarily weaken its ranks in the May elections.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said defections are expected during election season and that concerned allies have their own reasons for doing so.

Among the prominent allies who shifted support was deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, who has left the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD to support Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.

He said Singson has explained that his decision was based on the desire of his political leaders in Ilocos Sur to support the NP so he had to give in.

Singson is running for governor of Ilocos Sur in the May elections.

“To each his own reason for his decision. Let us just see what would come out of this in the remaining weeks (before the elections),” Olivar said in Filipino.

What is important, he said, is that the administration is still a hundred percent behind its standard-bearer, former Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Before Singson, the administration also saw the defection of key allies like the Garcia clan in Cebu, Cebu Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz and Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri.

Most of the defections have gone to the NP, prompting speculation as to whether or not Teodoro is still the candidate of the administration.

There are persistent rumors that while Teodoro may be the administration party candidate, Villar is the candidate of President Arroyo.

Olivar said that this was all part of black propaganda by the opposition.

“There were opposition parties who are trying to propagate that belief to malign the other political parties. There is no reason to doubt that (Teodoro is the administration’s bet). The administration is still fully behind its standard-bearer,” he said.

He said the start of the campaign period for the local elections should lead to some improvement in Teodoro’s numbers because the local candidates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD would start campaigning for the national bets. – Roel Pareño, Paolo Romero