Hussin bolts ruling party

Saying he does not want to be part of a group which "cannot be relied upon," Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Parouk Hussin announced yesterday his decision to bolt the administration party, the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

"If this is the kind of treatment I get from the party, then I have no business with them," said Hussin in a press conference in Makati City.

He said he has been loyal to the ruling party and even campaigned for it when he ran for senator under its banner in the May 2004 elections.

Hussin apparently resented the Lakas-CMD’s decision not to anoint him as the administration’s official gubernatorial bet.

He described the Lakas-CMD as an "unreliable party," saying he was not even consulted in the selection.

The Lakas-CMD has junked its "free zone" policy in the Aug. 8 ARMM polls and has anointed Mayor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao as the administration’s official candidate.

Despite his decision to bolt the ruling party, Hussin, however, said he remains supportive of President Arroyo.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said he regrets Hussin’s decision, saying Lakas’ decision to endorse Ampatuan went through an "objective, impersonal and cold (selection) procedure." — Michael Punongbayan, Paolo Romero