Barely three days before the last day of the filing of the certificates of candidacy, the number of Lakas members who have jumped to other parties continued to rise.

As this developed, Mandaluyong officials belonging to the Lakas party, including Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, were reportedly doing special arrangement or alliance with the camp of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Mar Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP).

This was divulged Saturday to newsmen by reliable sources who said the move was an apparent effort by Gonzales and Mayor Abalos to sustain their political hold of Mandaluyong City. A source said someone from the camp of Gonzales and Abalos approached a high-ranking official of the Liberal Party and allegedly offered a special arrangement with Aquino’s camp.

The source claimed that Gonzales promised to deliver votes for the Aquino tandem in exchange for the non-appointment of any candidate that will challenge his reelection bid in May, 2010 along with that of Abalos.
The Manila Bulletin tried to get a reaction from Gonzales and Abalos.
Gonzales could not be reached on his mobile phone.

Abalos, when asked if he will transfer to another party, said in a text message: “As Lakas candidates, we have our own national and local candidates whom we are going to support. I’m with Lakas and continue to remain with Lakas.”

Asked if he knows any one from their camp reportedly talking or coalescing with the opposition, he and Gonzales did not reply.

The source also told newsmen that former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos offered the same arrangement to the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manny Villar.