MANILA - The spokesman of former President Fidel V. Ramos on Wednesday belied reports that the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party founder is urging party members to stay away from the merged Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-CMD (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).

In a statement, Ed Malay, spokesperson of Ramos, said "reports circulating that FVR is convincing Lakas-CMD members to stick with the party and stay away from the Lakas-Kampi merge are not true."

The reports said Ramos was allegedly calling on all Lakas-CMD city and provincial members to stick to the original party.

"Please be advised that FVR is just acting on his own and is not trying to convince Lakas-CMD members to stick to Lakas and stay away from the Lakas-Kampi merger," Malay said.

"FVR merely turned down any role in the merged party because the Lakas party rules were not observed. That's all there is to it," he added.

Malay also said that "FVR is not forming a new coalition and will stay on as Lakas-CMD chair emeritus."

In response to the reports, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said he doubts very much if Ramos made a call to party members to stay away from the Lakas-Kampi merger.

"It's an intrigue to drive a wedge between FVR and Kampi, and between Lakas and Kampi," Claudio said.

Ruling party post rejected

On Tuesday, Ramos said he had rejected the offer to be the chairman emeritus of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

In a press conference before leaving for Thailand, Ramos said he declined the position because of the new party's failure to act on his "concerns" regarding the merger.

Ramos said he had sent a letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, telling her that the merger of the three parties was made without effective countrywide consultations with Lakas party's national leadership.

He said the merger between Lakas and Kampi, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's original party in the 1998 national elections, is actually not final because it has to be ratified by Lakas-CMD general assembly.

A leftist lawmaker also said on Tuesday that Ramos' refusal to become chair emeritus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD meant that the merger would eventually lead to a break up.

“Lakas and Kampi's recent political wedlock appears headed for divorce come 2010,” said Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano.
 
“Obviously, Ramos doesn't want Lakas to be infected by the increasing political isolation of Ms. Arroyo and her political party,” he added.  - with reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News