The Lakas-Kampi Merger: For Better or Worse

We have yet to see that the merger of the two dominant administration parties (Lakas & Kampi) is more to its advantage than otherwise. For now, one thing is certain though – that this political marriage seems to be between couples only (Puno & Prospero) minus the relatives. At any rate, it is expected that the maxim - "in unity there is trength" may still hold true here.


(Picture courtesy of http://midfield.wordpress.com)

For example, in the case of North Cotabato, Rep. Lala Talino Mendoza (of Kampi) and Vice Gov. Manny Pinol (of Lakas) are now all poised to go against each other for the gubernatorial post here. From all indications this is unstoppable.

Several other instances of Lakas local candidates pitted against Kampi local candidates happened in the 2007 elections. In most cases the rivalries reached such magnitude and intensity that they might have created wounds that even this merger could not heal.

In a situation where the political marriage between Lakas and Kampi was possible only at the top, there is a loose pseudo alliance at the local level which can be exploited by the opposition to its advantage. What may have been acheived by the merger was creating a body with one head but having split tail whose whips do not synchronize. In that situation, former Pres. Ramos was right in saying that the merger was done with undue haste and I would add lack of grassroots consultation within the party heirarchy.

PaLaKa (Partido Lakas Kampi) boosts of more than 70% membership from Governors and Mayors across the country but how they would react, or act, to this merger especially with respect to the coming presidential election is something interesting and could baffle political analysts.