MANILA, Philippines—Just what it needs to perk up the party anew into the political arena, Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) now has an “amulet” when it elected as its president popular action star and Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
“Kailangan natin pandayin ang mga susunod na hakbang ng partido at nandito na ang agimat na kinakailangan natin (Like a blacksmith, we need to strengthen the next steps of the party and here is the living amulet we need),” Revilla was quoted by wife, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla as saying in his speech after being elected by members of the national council Thursday in a gathering in Ortigas, Pasig City.
Mercado-Revilla said her husband crafted his speech from his image as an action star and the movies he has done.
Revilla’s father-actor, former Senator Ramon Sr., was known for his blockbuster films in the 1970s and 1980s whose lead characters used amulets that made them invincible to bullets and knives. In his younger days, Revilla did remakes of those films. He also had his versions of the popular “Panday” (blacksmith) film series originally starred in by his godfather, the late National Artist for Film, Fernando Poe Jr.
Thus, the words amulet and panday became associated with Revilla.
In attendance were some 149 members, including party bigwigs such as former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.
Former President Fidel Ramos, one of the founders of Lakas-CMD and chairperson emeritus, did not show up in the gathering.
Arroyo relinquished her position to Lagman, who will now sit as party chairman. The Pampanga lawmaker will join Ramos as chairperson emeritus.
Elected vice chairpersons were Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong, Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez, and Camarines Sur Representative Rolando Andaya Jr.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor was elected executive vice president, while Agusan del Norte Representative Jose Aquino II was secretary general.
“May dating si Bong. Sabi ko tama ang linya mo na ang partido Lakas-Kampi ngayon ay meron ng agimat (Senator Revilla has charismatic presence. I told him you’re right when you said that the Lakas-Kampi party now has an amulet),” Ermita, chairman of the national advisory council, told reporters in an interview.
Former Speaker Prospero Nograles said Revilla represents the new generation of politicians, and it is now up to him to bring in new members.
Revilla, who is serving his second term as senator, topped the senatorial race in the May 2010 elections. He said his election will bring youth and freshness to the party, as he called on his partymates to unite and shun politics at this time.
“This is the new face of Lakas. The important thing now is to unite, no talk of politics,” he said.
Revilla also said that even if perceived to be the opposition party, Lakas-Kampi “will not give the administration a headache” and will work closely with the government.
He said the new leaders will sit down and map out the direction of the party in the coming days.
Asked if Lakas-Kampi will have a stand on the impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Revilla said, “Let’s cross the bridge when we get there.”
source: inquirer
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