Gordon to coalesce with Lakas-Kampi if standard bearer will be chosen according to right criteria

If the Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer will be chosen according to the right criteria, Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today expressed willingness to join the newly-merged party.

Gordon said he is willing to consider former Pres. Fidel Ramos' offer for him to join Lakas-Kampi CMD if the ruling party will promote his advocacies but he would bring with him the Bagumbayan - Volunteers for a New Philippines, which is awaiting accreditation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"Kung ang Lakas, ang pipiliin nila yung pinaka-karapat-dapat, hindi dahil lang sa pera, ngunit yung talagang may qualifications at malakas ang qualifications, malakas yung track record, may integridad, may gagawin talagang mahusay sa bayan, sama ako diyan. Pero isasama ko yung Bagumbayan," he said.

"Kung maipapanalo mo yung tao dahil may track record siya, can motivate people, and has integrity, at yun ang patakaran, pwede tayong sumama diyan. Kung it's on principle that they are going to advocate what I advocate which are no corruption, good governance, integrity of the candidate, bakit hindi?" he added.

However, Gordon said he would have to turn the offer down if Lakas-Kampi would be using survey results in choosing their standard bearer, adding that if he also opts to advertise on television he will top the surveys.

"E kung papasok ka diyan tapos pera-pera ulit e hindi tama yun. Bumabalik lang tayo sa Nacionalista at Liberal, kung sino maraming pera. It is the party of the rich again. I'll take my chances elsewhere kung ganoon. Ang nangyayari sa atin, panay ang survey nung mga mayayaman, yung may pera," he said.

"Wala akong duda. Kapag ikaw nag-aadvertise ng malaki, magna-number 1 ka, magna-number 2 ka, lalo na kung may track record ka. Ganoon lang yun e. Kung hindi ka mag-aadvertise, hindi ka makakalaban dun sa nag-aadvertise. Iyun ba ang gusto natin, yung may pera mananalo kahit walang kakayahan, walang credibility, walang integrity," the senator stressed.