The Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) will no longer join the ruling Lakas-Kampi- CMD and will instead blaze its own path in the 2010 national and local elections.

National Security Advisier Norberto Gonzales said his political party, a member of the administration coalition before the recent merger of Lakas and Kampi, has decided to choose its own standard bearer in next year's elections with a platform of political and electoral reforms.

Gonzales said the party decision came after the administration coalition was “practically dissolved,” apparently referring to the union of Lakas with Kampi last March.

“ The PDSP will not join Lakas-Kampi whether merger or coalition,” Gonzales said, but assured that he remains an ally of the Arroyo administration.

Presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio said Gonzales has the prerogative to set the course of his party for the 2010 elections, according to their own objectives.

But Claudio downplayed the departure of thePDSP from the administration coalition, saying he could not see how it will affect the strength of the rest of the ruling party.

He said he was unaware of any governor, congressman, or mayor being fielded with the party of Gonzales.

“We sympathize with his seeming inability to reconcile his politics with his role as member of thed Cabinet, although we do not begrudge him for that,” Claudio said.

Gonzales said the PDSP may choose to support any of the presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections.

The party plans to hold consultations with its members to finalize its choice of presidential candidate in a convention thisg October.

Gonzales said his party also intends to repeat its feat in 1992 elections when it organized nationwide consultations to help President Corazon Aquino decide whom to endorse as successor. The consultations led to Aquino’s endorsement of then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos.

The presidential candidate of PDSP, however, would have to support key reforms in the 1987 Constitution.

Gonzales said the PDSP will present a platform of fundamental reforms, such as amendments to the Constitution, as well as reforms in the electoral system, in the upcoming elections.

“These reforms will be the content of his party’s electoral campaign and his party will continue to push for them in the next administration,” a statement from the office of Gonzales read. (Genalyn Kabiling)