Lakas starts scouting for 2010 presidential bet
Mayor Jerry Treñas said, this early the administration party Lakas-NUCD is already considering several names to be made as the party's official standard bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.
The City Mayor attended the political party's recent meeting in Manila.
Treñas said those being groomed to become the party's standard bearers are national leaders and local executives. He, however refused to give further details on the early birds for the presidential race as it is the work of the party's spokesperson to release the names of party members or officials of the political party.
He added Lakas is still the strongest political party or major player in the 2010 presidential polls though there were reports on the party's split because of the differences between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker Jose de Venecia.
The recent reconciliation meeting in Manila was attended by the President, former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker de Venecia. Representative Arthur Defensor also attended the reconciliatory meeting. It was a cordial meeting between and among the party members, said Treñas.
The party was recently rocked by controversy that emanated from the ZTE broadband deal involving the Speaker's son Joey, former Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. The reported giving of cash gifts to governors and other officials in a meeting in Malacañang added fire to the rift among the party's officials and members.
Treñas said the reported split among the party's top officials prompted the group to come up with a "party strengthening program". The move aims to ensure that Lakas will remain as the strongest political party.
Treñas added, the meeting also served as venue for the officials to add more vigor in their respective poverty alleviation programs and the realization of super region projects as envisioned by the President.