Many talks of party coalitions are rampant especially now that the 2010 National Elections is nearing. However, former President Fidel V. Ramos declined the position of chairman emeritus of the newly-merged administration party Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats.
Ramos held a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before he left for Thailand. He distributed copies of his letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dated August 17. In the said letter, he lamented the lack of “effective countrywide consultations” with the other Lakas-CMN national directorate in order to get their consensus regarding the draft and constitution of the newly merged political party.
Also stated in the letter that Ramos declines the position of chair emeritus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD. The merger terms must also be ratified by the Lakas-CMD general assembly, he also said.
But the former president also clarified that he is still the chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD which still existed as a political party in the Commission on Elections. “For the record, I have not relinquished the position of chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD.”
The Palace however is confident that Ramos would still remain with the administration coalition despite the rejection of the post. “Not necessarily,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas-Kampi president, said when asked if Ramos was breaking his ties with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “He’s just coming up with his own position.”
