Over 11,000 convene for Lakas-Kampi-CMD assembly

MANILA (November 19, 2009) - More than 11,000 local leaders under the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD signified their support to former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and former Optical Media Board (OMB) chair Edu Manzano as the official candidates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD for president and vice president, respectively, during the party's National Convention held Thursday (November 19) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The convention was divided into two sessions: the ratification of resolutions; and the nomination for the vice presidential and presidential candidates.In her address, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stated that "Lakas-Kampi-CMD is the dominant party of our generation and has been the strongest political party in the last 17 years."

"Seventy-two percent of the elected leaders are part of our party. The huge number of leaders present here confirms that our party is the true party of the people," Arroyo said.

"We have convened today to nominate and proclaim our future leaders who possess the idealism and confidence to serve our country and our people."

Arroyo also mentioned the initiatives done by the government to fight poverty and added that the government has given focus on three critical areas towards development and these are economy, environment, and education.

She further urged the local leaders to work hard and to work together for the victory of the party because "all leaders of Lakas-Kampi are genuine leaders who can lead to better development of the nation."

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Teodoro stressed that government structural reform is necessary to address the evolving challenges that the country is facing today.

He said "now is the time to gain our full economic liberties.""Hindi po ako natatakot sa malaking hamon na ito dahil hindi ko lang ito laban, laban po natin itong lahat," Teodoro said.

Teodoro also laid down his plans to address the four poverties of the country which he identified as poverty of the mind; poverty of the pocket; poverty of environment; and poverty of relationship.

He said it is a must to continue what is being done by the government today; important to train entrepreneurs for the future; protect the resources that the country has; and spur civic relationships that will continue to strengthen the kinship in our neighborhood.

"We shall continue to upscale infrastructure, continue to modernize highways on land and highways on seas should be safe for commerce," he said.

Vice presidential bet Manzano, on the other hand, also pledged and dedicated his entire being for the victory of the party.

"I want to lead our people to a new and vibrant tomorrow. Ang aking tugon sa hamon na ito ay 'Game Na' to make a meaningful contribution to our country," Manzano said.

Manzano was vice mayor of Makati from 1998 to 2001, vice president of the Mayor's League of the Philippines, and founder of the Anti-Child Abuse Foundation. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)