Visayan party’s move to ally with Lakas hit

CEBU – Members of the regional party Alayon may find it difficult to make good their intention to coalesce with Lakas-NUCD as top officials of Promdi (Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative) vowed to block such a move.

Both Lakas-NUCD and Promdi are part of the United Opposition that was instrumental in toppling former President Joseph Estrada.

Rep. Clavel Martinez said she and former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña have agreed to block any proposed alliance between Alayon and Lakas-NUCD.

Alayon counts as members many officials who used to be identified with Mr. Estrada.

Martinez, a member of the 11-man House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Mr. Estrada, said she believes Sen. John Osmeña, Lito’s estranged brother, is behind Alayon’s plan.

She said an alliance with the United Opposition is the best way members of Alayon, originally with Mr. Estrada’s Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP), can join the administration.

She said Alayon’s move is very unfair to original members of the United Opposition who worked for the removal of Mr. Estrada.

Among Alayon’s members are Reps. Eduardo Gullas, Joseph Ace Durano and Simeon Kintanar, Vice Gov. Fernando Celeste and some provincial board members.

Martinez said it is too late for Alayon’s members to strike an alliance with opposition parties since they have already taken their oath as LAMP members. — Freeman News Service