Oust-Roxas plot in LP parried

The President’s "chief troubleshooter" is no longer in trouble with his partymates, for now.

Malacañan and House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte shot down attempts by allies to replace former senator Mar Roxas as head of the administration Liberal Party.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: “Roxas remains chairman of the party. There’s no reason for him to be replaced.”

In a separate text message, Belmonte said: “ I am 100 percent Mar Roxas.”

Laciera and Belmonte were separately sought for comment on attempts by Belmonte’s recruits from the Lakas-Kampi CMD to oust Roxas as LP chairman.

Belmonte brought at least 41 congressmen into LP in the run up to the May 2010 presidential election.

LP 1st termer, Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, said Belmonte has a very good chance of unseating Roxas if elections were held within the party since Belmonte brought many of them in.

He said factions within the party are pushing for Belmonte to prevent Roxas from using the party for his future campaigns, possibly for senator in 2013 and President in 2016.

"Belmonte has no intention to run for president while Mar has desire to run for president….There are some quarters pushing for presidency of Speaker Sonny Belmonte because with advent of speakership elections and speaker Belmonte recruited a big chunk of LPs into LP bloc, fresh, new LPs also wanted to push him as next president," the congressman said.

Castelo, however, said Belmonte is not likely to be drawn into an election confrontation with Roxas and will only accept the party presidency with Roxas’ consent.

“The Speaker will not go against Mar Roxas as president unless given to him," he said.

The Quezon City congressman said this is part of the party’s preparations for the next elections, saying whoever tops the 2013 senatorial elections will be the frontrunner for the 2016 presidential elections.

“Whoever number 1 senator will be strongest contender for presidency. Toss up between Chiz (Francis Escudero) and Mar and other personalities. Whoever will garner highest votes sa Senate will be serious for presidency. Ngayon pa lang may intramurals na," he said.