MANILA, Philippines -- Aiming for a stronger political party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Partner of the Free Filipino, Kampi) has proposed a "two-tiered merger" with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said.

Puno, Kampi president, said they were optimistic that the merger would happen by yearend so that they could immediately get down to the task of choosing a common candidate for the 2010 presidential elections.

He said being considered were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte.

In a meeting with Kampi members Wednesday, Puno said there would be a three-step process to ensure that the merger would push through.

Puno said these three stages were to create a committee that would discuss a platform of government for Kampi and Lakas; a legal group that would study ways of formalizing the unity of the two parties, either through a full merger, a coalition or any other form of association; and a structural organization committee that would attempt to bridge and resolve disputes between the two parties especially at the local level.

“We need to work this out before 2010 so [that] we can emerge as a very strong, unified force in the coming national elections,” Puno said, noting that the committees must get organized before the close of the session of Congress on June 10.

Speaker Prospero Nograles, president of Lakas, was also present at the meeting and assured Kampi that its recommendations would be considered by the Lakas party.

The meeting was attended by over 30 Kampi members, including Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey”Arroyo and Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado “Dato” Macapagal Arroyo Jr.; Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa of the lone district of Occidental Mindoro; Representatives Pablo Garcia of the second district of Cebu; Pablo John Garcia, 3rd district of Cebu; Roberto Puno, 1st district of Antipolo; Trisha Bonoan-David, 4th district of Manila; Arthur Robes of the district of Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, 6th district of Cebu; Teodulo Coquilla, lone district of Eastern Samar; among others.