TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE--Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo has belittled the flight of Lakas-Kampi stalwarts to other party groups in preparation for 2010 saying this not in any way affected the ruling party’s organization and plans.
Although he admitted in a recent meeting with journalists that he is upset of the defections, but went on to say that “it was only small in number.”
“It’s not even close to 20, tidbits lang,” was his words.
Dimaporo’s reaction came after Ozamiz journalists asked him about the most recent defection of his fellow governor, Loreto Leo Ocampos, who jumped ship from Lakas-Kampi into Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s Liberal Party.
Ocampos, who heads the 80-strong governors’ league, bolted out of Lakas last November over disagreements in nominations of candidates in Misamis Occidental.
The three-termed governor, who is eyeing the congressional seat of the second district, admitted in a radio interview he saw cracks in the administration party, which is slowly making Lakas “on the brink of sinking.” Added to that, he claimed, is the “dismal performance” of their presidential bet, resigned Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in presidential surveys.
“I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a bit worried. But to say Lakas is a sinking ship? I don’t think so, I don’t believe it. People will stay together, we will tow the line and our party will not easily break up,” Dimaporo said.
In a statement, Malacañang downplayed the defections of key allies of Lakas to rival parties saying the exodus is expected.
Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser for political affairs and Lakas secretary-general said that the defections are natural and expected consequences of fallouts from the party’s selection process for local candidates.
He added that party members not selected as official candidates in the 2010 elections will naturally seek shelter with other political parties or other presidential bets.
“As for Lanao del Norte is concerned, we want to show our friends in the national government that we are not fickle in our loyalty. If you want the loyalty of the officials of Lanao del Norte, then you’ll have to show us why we will,” Dimaporo said, sending a message.
As a challenge to would-be presidentiables, Dimaporo sent this one: “Once you have the loyalty of the leaders of Lanao del Norte, we will stand by you till the end. We will not easily jump ship. If they want our loyalty they will have to commit to us first before we will commit to them.”
“We are looking for leaders like PGMA who built us roads when we have graveled roads; built us water systems when we have none; gave us electricity for our livelihood and sent us battalions of soldiers when our people were scared of being attacked,” the governor ended.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles likened Ocampos’ actions to the famous fable of the fox who after finding himself unable to reach some grapes he had desired disparaged them as sour.
“Unsa man na, morag sour-graping man tingale na di ba?” she asked.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA