Lacson: De Venecia welcome to join GO any time
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Genuine Opposition (GO) would welcome with open arms Speaker Jose de Venecia and the remnants of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat after the Kampi party of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo raided their ranks -- should they decide to bolt the coalition.
“If the ranks of Lakas will be decimated by the poaching of Kampi, Speaker De Venecia is most welcome to join the Genuine Opposition,” Lacson said in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Lacson said that Kampi, under the direction of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, was determined to become the dominant political party in the country at the expense of its coalition leader Lakas.
“I think Speaker De Venecia should wake up and realize that his party is being shredded under his very nose,” said Lacson.
“Kampi is raiding and undermining the ranks of Lakas. I would not be surprised if Lakas will leave the administration coalition,” he added.
Lacson said GO was keen on having De Venecia on its side to form an alliance similar to Lakas’ rainbow coalition in the House of Representatives. Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
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TALLIES
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 1,530,337 |
|---|---|
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 1,445,355 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 1,427,372 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 1,315,961 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 1,270,851 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 1,267,929 |
| Cayetano, Alan Peter (GO) | 1,097,065 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 1,046,152 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 999,396 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 980,643 |
| Recto, Ralph (TU) | 971,250 |
| Zubiri, Juan Miguel (TU) | 957,930 |
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 14,161,803 |
|---|---|
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 13,919,444 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 12,027,067 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 11,674,064 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 11,107,999 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 11,092,665 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 9,689,358 |
| Cayetano, Alan Peter (GO) | 9,030,748 |
| Honasan, Gregorio (IND) | 9,013,231 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 8,977,075 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 8,710,648 |
| Pimentel, Aquilino III (GO) | 8,449,279 |
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 18,352,290 |
|---|---|
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 18,095,757 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 15,442,480 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 15,192,880 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 14,415,704 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 14,234,979 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 12,404,138 |
| Cayetano, Allan Peter (GO) | 11,736,410 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 11,550,655 |
| Honasan, Gregorio (IND) | 11,487,784 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 11,138,067 |
| Pimentel, Aquilino III (GO) | 10,865,397 |
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