The ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD acted swiftly last night to fill the three vital vacancies in its national executive committee in a bid to squelch speculations of a party collapse that may be triggered by the sudden resignation of its chairman, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the ruling party’s presidential bet.
 
In an emergency meeting of the national executive committee, Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita Villarosa was elected as replacement for Teodoro who resigned Tuesday night.

Francis Manglapus, who quit as secretary general, was the unanimous choice as president, in lieu of Saranggani Gov. Rene Miguel Dominguez, who left the post a day after Teodoro’s resignation.
 
Manglapus’s post will be filled up by Ray Roquero, erstwhile deputy secretary general.  Roquero was also a unanimous choice.
 
“The party moved decisively Wednesday to fill the top three posts of the party left vacant by resignations, quashing speculations of internal dissention and pleding to united behind Gibo Teodoro’s presidential candidacy,” Roquero said in a text message.
 
Roquero said the new group will immediately buckle down to work as he noted that over 12,000 candidates in the local elections are Lakas-Kampi-CMD members.
 
“We have renewed our oath of loyalty to the party, it’s core principles, its presidential candidate and the entire national slate,” Roquero said.
 
He added,“We are moving forward aware of the greater tasks to claim victory in the election.”
 
Roquero said he expects that the election of new party officers would put to rest “all talks of disunity and dissention” within the party.
 
Earlier, Dominguez and Manglapus tendered their resignation from their respective posts, apparently a move triggered by the resignation of Teodoro.
 
Teodoro insisted that his resignation was caused mainly by his desire to devote more time and effort in pursuing his presidential bid.
 
Roquero said Teodoro was correct in his decision, considering that as party chairman it was his duty to attend to the needs of all partymates who are running in different position.
 
“Local leaders are emboldened now to campaign harder to help Gibo win.  The party has 12,891 of the more than 17,000 candidates running for local posts now, all of them will push for a Gibo presidency,” said Roquero.
 
Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia will retain his post as party executive vice president while , vice presidential bet Edu Manzano or Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno will continue to serve as vice chairmen of the party.(Ben R. Rosario)