Is Lakas-Kampi a unifying merger?

Ex-Speaker Jose de Venecia is still churning mad over the Lakas-Kampi merger which he sneeringly damns as illegal. Although less volcanic in tongue, ex-President Fidel V. Ramos, the other erstwhile leader emeritus of the defunct(?) Lakas, also shares the same bitterness as Joe de V.

Per JDV's heated perorations, the main cause of action of his 20-page petition with the Comelec to nullify the hasty so-called Lakas-CMD and Kampi union is the irregular procedure. Foremost grounds are the misrepresentation of Lakas leadership, utter lack of notice to Lakas chapters from regional/provincial/city levels, and the scandalous haste. In fact, JDV and FVR as Lakas heads emeritus were not in attendance and, only Lakas party subalterns and GMA's Kampi lieutenants - Rep. Luis Villafuerte, DILG boss Ronaldo Puno and the two GMA sons/congressmen - did run the show.

But then, that's all water under the bridge now. Besides, an intra-party political conflict that had been pre-hatched before its onset, the Comelec isn't stupid to interfere, or grant JDV's pathetic dirge.

The Lakas-Kampi merger now as moot and academic, the issue is whether or not it has unified the two political blocs. And, can it so unify so as to serve as the administration's strongest weapon in the 2010 elections, as envisaged by Pres. Arroyo herself?

Who shall be the presidential and VP bets of Lakas-Kampi in 2010? It's till vague. Considering that the most likely GMA successor could be no other than VP Noli de Castro himself, but yet, no ex-cathedra word, or even a hint in body language about it from the Palace. Moreover, it's obvious that lukewarm relations hardly bind the VP and GMA, even in social functions. No glowing words from Malacañang on Kabayan's housing projects.

Unlike Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, De Castro appears not yet clearly welcome to the Lakas-Kampi loose partnership… Equally telling is the lack of amity among known local Lakas and Kampi officialdom and card-bearers. There's no known LGU or bloc where the merged Lakas-Kampi wards have attained unity or oneness.

Instead, grumblings and criticisms appear to be the rule… In Cebu for instance, where practically all LGUs are pro-administration, will there be unanimity in supporting whosoever be the presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial slates of Lakas-Kampi?

Will One Cebu Party of Gov. Gwen Garcia with Congressman Pablo Garcia and Congressman Pablo John Garcia, whose triangular clout is being wooed by national aspirants, be en-toto behind Lakas-Kampi? That's a $64 question. It's not like the One Cebu that had forged the Cebuanos in willing unity to prevent the break-up of Cebu province initiated by then Congress last-termers Antonio Yapha and Clavel Asas Martinez.

Grapevine has spread that Rep. Eddie Gullas is behind Senator Manuel Villar. Mayor Tomas Osmeña seems endorsing Senator Mar Roxas. Kampi VP for Central Visayas Rep. Nerissa Ruiz would surely support Kampi's lineup. The Duranos of the 5th district would be backing the NPC slate perhaps. And the City and Municipal Mayors of Cebu would also be in quandary who to latch on, and their foes would logically be at the opposing sides.

Using Cebuano colloquialism: "Gubot pa unya sa lukot… Iyahay ug posisyonay hain ang hangin". And this means, candidly said, which electoral slates from national to the local levels, could give them the needed 'budget'… Ward leaders in towns and barrios are getting wiser and wiser, and more daring and outspoken, that when candidates court them for support, their rejoinder is: "Pilay atong budget para sa among lungsod o baryo? Kon wa kay igong 'budget', si pulano - another wannabe - prangkahan ta lang ka nga nitanyag na nako sa iyang 'budget'."

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