Without an official set of elected officers since being saddled with a series of defections following the May 10 elections, Lakas-Kampi-CMD will complete its reorganization this month with Arroyo and Romualdez expected to get strong support as chairperson and president, respectively.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez will backstop the two top party officials as vice chairmen.

There has been no mention of what role former Defese Secretary Gilbert Teodoro or actor Edu Manzano will take when the party’s key officials meet this month. TEodoro and Manzano were fielded as the party’s presidential and vice presidential bets, respectively, in the May 10 elections.

Suarez said there will be a fusion of young blood and veteran politicians who will be installed by the party’s national executive committee which will meeting November 23 at Club Filipino.

“She (Arroyo) will be the chairman, I don’t think she would refuse it if we feel that she should be playing an active role. I think she had already been informed about this,” Suarez told reporters in an interview over the weekend.

According to Suarez the “big guns” of the party will continue to hold key positions although a number of young politicians were also expected to be elected in the NEC.
The veteran opposition solon said Arroyo maintains solid backing to continue serving as the highest party official of the party.

“We feel that she should be playing an active role because of our respect and our commitment to pursue her ideas especially when it comes to making this country move forward, both politically and economically,” said Suarez.

Despite failing to win the presidency and the vice presidency, Lakas-Kampi-CMD edged out the country’s leading political parties, including President Aquino’s Liberal Party, during the May 10 elections.

Ben Rosario, Manila Bulletin