Nograles confirms plan to bolt Lakas
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/12/2010 12:53 PM
MANILA, Philippines (Update 2) - House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Monday confirmed that he is planning to bolt the ruling Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats while strongly hinting that he might join the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manny Villar. In an e-mailed statement, Nograles said he feels left out of the loop despite being the party's vice-chairman and senior member of the National Advisory Board.
“The administration party is out of control. It is in total disarray contrary to what is being bandied about in the media,” Nograles said.
“Hilong-hilo na kami sa nangyayari sa partido. Even as a senior officer of the party, I hardly know what's happening because they make decisions without the courtesy of even briefing us. Kahit man lang tawag sana para hindi naman kami nagugulat sa mga lalabas na balita kinabukasan. Now what's the use of being with the administration party? I don't even get any text saying hi or hello from our party standard-bearer,” he added.
The Speaker said he was not invited to the Lakas-Kampi CMD executive meeting at Linden Suites a few weeks ago when the party decided to appoint replacements for Gilbert Teodoro and Gov. Miguel Dominguez as party president and chairman, respectively.
“I'm a senior party member and they only want to use me for their convenience? I think that is foul. I have been a good soldier but I also deserve some respect,” Nograles said.
He also said that while he is a top-ranking official of the party in Mindanao, the Lakas-Kampi leadership designated Madeline“Bebot” Marfori, the presidential assistant for special projects, as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD “pointman” in Davao City.
He said it was common knowledge that Marfori is a staunch supporter of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Nograles is running for mayor of Davao City against Duterte's daughter, Sara, while the Speaker's son is up against a sister of Duterte for a seat in Congre