Roxas ally warns LPs switching loyalties may risk allotments

An ally of Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas, II has confirmed that administration congressmen risk losing allotments and infrastructure projects in their respective turfs if they shift loyalties to his 2016 rivals, in particular, to Senator Grace Poe.

Requesting anonymity, the source, who is a senior administration congressman, confirmed such a political maneuver is possible in the House of Representatives.

At the same time, he belittled Poe’s declaration to join the presidential derby, with Senator Francis Escudero as her running mate.

Another LP solon, who also requested anonymity, admitted that he feels being “watched” because he is under suspicion by partymates of defecting to the political camp of either Poe or Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Right now, some of us might abandon Secretary Roxas because of problems in the local scene,” said the LP lawmaker who admitted resenting a move by the ruling party to field another candidate to oppose his candidacy in 2016.

However, other Liberals in the House were quick to belie the assertions of their two colleagues, saying that such a retaliation on disloyal partymates or perceived allies has never been part of the “daang matuwid” (straight path) policy of the Aquino administration.

“LP is a principled party. It does not operate that way. It is also politically unacceptable that candidates abandon a party in power,” stated LP stalwart and Quezon.City Rep. Winston Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

On the other hand, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian warned that if the LP does make such actions, it could be “even more dangerous” for the ruling party.

“They might be supporting the administration superficially. But all their people and relatives are on the other side,” Gatchalian said. “It happens,” he added.