MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Tuesday rejected the position of chairman emeritus of the newly-merged administration party Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats.
In a press conference at Ninoy Aquino International Airport before leaving for Thailand, Ramos distributed copies of his August 17 letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wherein he lamented the lack of "effective countrywide consultations" with the Lakas-CMD national directorate to obtain their consensus with regard to the draft constitution and bylaws of the merged party.
“I hereby decline the position of chair emeritus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD,” Ramos said in his letter.
The merger terms must also be ratified by the Lakas-CMD general assembly, he added.
Ramos said he "arrived at this personal decision after long reflection and due diligence."
However, the former president clarified that he would continue being the chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD which still existed as a political party in the records of the Commission on Elections.
“For the record, I have not relinquished the position of chairman
emeritus of Lakas-CMD.”