BY REGINA BENGCO

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday endorsed the merger of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) which she chairs and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) which she founded.

The merger, she said, would turn the ruling party into a "colossus" and ensure the victory of its candidate in the 2010 presidential elections.

"Our merged party will be a colossus that brings to mind Mahathir of Malaysia, whose decades-old dominant political machinery supported by key business groups provided the underpinning for Malaysia development," she said.

Arroyo addressed the Lakas-CMD national directorate and its new leaders led by party president and Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., replacing former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. whose ouster was demanded by Lakas members for hitting the First Family in connection with the broadband project scandal.

De Venecia snubbed the Manila Hotel meeting which officially unseated him as president of the party he founded in 1992 with President Fidel Ramos.

He was relegated as president emeritus, a post created just for him, but which he declined. Ramos is currently chairman emeritus.

De Venecia told several interviews he prefers to be the "conscience" of the party.

De Venecia also said about "70 percent" of Lakas members would surely oppose the merger, knowing Kampi is a "party of the Arroyos" and of "power and money."

"It's a kiss of death," he said.

De Venecia earlier sought Ramos' help to prevent the merger of the Lakas-CMD and Kampi.

Arroyo lauded Nograles, saying Lakas-CMD would be in "very able and worthy hands." She also said Nograles has the "qualities, experience and status not only to uphold the lofty traditions of our party but also of our country."

Arroyo said the merger would combine the forces of the two parties into a "powerhouse" team of five senators, 143 congressmen, 55 governors, 85 city mayors, 945 municipal mayors, and over 7,000 vice governors, board members, vice mayors and councilors.

She said the merger would enable the administration to achieve her vision of a Philippines that is ready for the First World in 20 years.