Two Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts on Thursday warned that a financial crisis would trigger the collapse of the much-vaunted political machinery that party leaders claim will start to work wonders for its national candidates as soon as the local campaign period starts March 26.

Appearing at Usaping Balita News Forum, Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial bet Raul Lambino and re-electionist Rep. Bienvenido Abante of Manila urged the party leadership to immediately call for a caucus of the party’s national leadership to thresh out issues of financial support for its candidates

Lambino admitted that senatorial bets share the same sentiments raised by the camp of vice presidential bet Edu Manzano who was reported to threaten to pull out from the race due to alleged lack of logistical backing from the party.

“I could continue the battle but I do not know if I could finish the war,” Lambino said as he admitted receiving little financial support from the party.

Lambino disclosed that lack of financial resources and troubled party machinery are evidenced by the fact that the last time the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national candidates took the stage as a team was a month ago in Rizal province during the campaign kick off ceremonies.

“Parang katulad ninyo sa media, naghihintay ako ng campaign schedule pero walang dumarating. So we are made to rely on invitations from our own supporters (Just like the media, I am also awaiting for a campaign schedule that never comes)” he said.

Lambino said he does not even know who is the overall Lakas-Kampi-CMD man in charge of the whole national campaign.

The senatorial bet said he has not lost faith on the party, saying that the fact that it is offering the most qualified candidate for president should already serve as their inspiration to push harder to guarantee victory for the party.

“I had no plans to run for senator. My only political plan before this was to campaign hard for Gilbert Teodoro because he is what the country needs,” he said.

Abante said national candidates expecting strong backing from local party members should be forewarned that such support may not come unless the party is able to convince them that financial help will be coming soon.

“They should woo local government officials because local officials can make them win. But how can they do that when we haven’t even met to discuss how to pursue the campaign,” said Abante.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD leadership has claimed that they expect the campaign of presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and his team to get a big boost as soon as the local campaign period starts, saying that this is because at least 71 percent of local bets are party members.

Abante said that in terms of financial resources, the current national campaign of the party pales in comparison with the 2007 and 2004 national elections participated in by Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

“Presidential campaigns should be vibrant. The 2007 poll was merely a senatorial race but Lakas-Kampi campaigned as a team. Funding was not a problem,” he said.

“I don’t where the money is, better ask this to them (party leadership),” said Abante in response to a question on whether he knows where Lakas-Kampi-CMD campaign funds are.

The Manila lawmaker said party treasurer and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez should report on the financial questions raised by party members.