MANILA, Philippines (Update 2) - House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Monday confirmed that he is planning to bolt the ruling Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats while strongly hinting that he might join the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manny Villar.

In an e-mailed statement, Nograles said he feels left out of the loop despite being the party's vice-chairman and senior member of the National Advisory Board.

“The administration party is out of control. It is in total disarray contrary to what is being bandied about in the media,” Nograles said.

“Hilong-hilo na kami sa nangyayari sa partido. Even as a senior officer of the party, I hardly know what's happening because they make decisions without the courtesy of even briefing us. Kahit man lang tawag sana para hindi naman kami nagugulat sa mga lalabas na balita kinabukasan. Now what's the use of being with the administration party? I don't even get any text saying hi or hello from our party standard-bearer,” he added.

The Speaker said he was not invited to the Lakas-Kampi CMD executive meeting at Linden Suites a few weeks ago when the party decided to appoint replacements for Gilbert Teodoro and Gov. Miguel Dominguez as party president and chairman, respectively.

“I'm a senior party member and they only want to use me for their convenience? I think that is foul. I have been a good soldier but I also deserve some respect,” Nograles said.

He also said that while he is a top-ranking official of the party in Mindanao, the Lakas-Kampi leadership designated Madeline“Bebot” Marfori, the presidential assistant for special projects, as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD “pointman” in Davao City.

He said it was common knowledge that Marfori is a staunch supporter of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Nograles is running for mayor of Davao City against Duterte's daughter, Sara, while the Speaker's son is up against a sister of Duterte for a seat in Congress.

Still mum on joining NP

The Speaker, meanwhile, refused to confirm or deny reports that he is joining the Nacionalista Party of Villar although some members of the Team Nograles in Davao City are already supporting Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) vice-presidential bet Loren Legarda.

“I might and I might not. I'm getting adequate support from my supporters here in Davao including many  businessmen who are already complaining because of the exorbitant taxes and plunderous corruption of  the Duterte administration. We can run the campaign of the Team Nograles without any help from any party, but I think that Manny Villar is a viable option because of his non-association with those involved in human rights violations in Davao City,” he said.

He said that if Villar is elected president, he would put an end to the summary executions in Davao City.

He said he does not believe that Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III would address the human rights situation in Davao City since Mayor Duterte is his ally.

Nograles 'defection' expected - Teodoro

Lakas-Kampi CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro, meanwhile, said he was not surprised by the news that Nograles is planning to transfer to a different party. "Alam nyo, di naman tayo pinanganak kahapon. Well, I expected that because I've been hearing reports since long ago. Kung talagang confirmed yun, matagal ng may mga rumors," he said.

He added that Nograles's defection will not affect his campaign since he has his own volunteers in Davao. "Di makakaapekto yun. Di naman sya masigasig na tumutulong sakin nun," he said.

His campaign manager, Atty. Mike Toledo, also noted that Nograles' defection would not affect Teodoro's campaign since more than 40 provincial governors have already signified their support for the administration candidate.

"It is indeed sad. We all know that politics is addition but then again, we know he has been with the party for such a long period of time, definitely a party stalwart, a well-respected legislator and very good lawyer at that," he told ANC.  

For his part, Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general Raymundo Roquero said the Speaker's decision was both "unfortunate and understandable."

"He has his reasons for leaving that he understands best. He must be respected for this decision, and even admired for it, even if he is a loss to the party of which he is an original and a pillar," he said in a statement.

Roquero said "intricacies" of the political situation in Davao City could have compelled Nograles to make the decision to leave the party. He added, however, that the fate of the Lakas-Kampi CMD campaign is still in the hands of loyal party members who remain supportive of the Lakas-Kampi candidates.

"On behalf of the party, we reaffirm our faith in Gibo Teodoro, our presidential candidate, and our commitment to its ideals and goals for which we continue to strive," he said.