LAKAS A FORCE TO RECKON WITH

Lakas President Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. brushed aside Vice President Binay's claims that the dominant minority party is a spent force, much less politically dead.

"The next elections is still over a year away and while there are already feelers being sent seeking the party's support, we do not want to focus our efforts there this early. Instead of following what other political parties are doing now, our party, through our members who are incumbent officials, would rather spend our energies on serving the constituency and addressing their more immediate concerns."

Citing the work ethic of previous party leaders, Revilla asserted that Lakas banks on the trust and confidence of voters who they serve and not on publicity and political gimmickry. "Kaya nasusuya na ang taumbayan. Katatapos pa lang ng eleksyon, eleksyon na naman ang iniintindi ng mga pulitiko."

According to Revilla, it is clear that Lakas is being underestimated. He pointed out that the real strength of a political party is its grassroots membership, the quality of its incumbent members on ground, coupled with the support of recognized leaders and Senior Statesmen. "Ultimately, the party that has the most number of performing incumbent officials is the strongest political party."

"Lakas is not CGMA alone. There is more to the party. We are a principled political party with Christian-Muslim Democratic ideals."

"We enjoy the full support of former President Fidel V. Ramos and the party's founding members, coupled with a substantial number of congressmen, governors, board members, mayors, and councilors."

"Moreover, the presidents and officials of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines, the Philippine Councilors League, and the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas are either members of Lakas or were actively supported and campaigned for by Lakas in their respective bids."

Revilla ended that come 2013, Lakas will be supporting senatorial candidates that will be consistent with the party's goals, adding that they are open to discussions with groups who will seek the party's support.