MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE) It?s all systems go for the Lakas-Kampi-CMD political party.

The Commission on Elections has junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Pampanga Representative Jose C. De Venecia to annul the merger of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino.

In an 11-page decision, the Comelec en banc upheld the Second Division ruling that the existence of the merged party was legal.

?Lakas Kampi CMD is a privately organized political party, formed under the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association, which in turn bears facets of the right to privacy,? the October 20 decision read.

?Wherefore, premises considered, the instant motion for reconsideration is hereby denied. The approval of the registration and accreditation of Lakas Kampi CMD as a political party is hereby affirmed,? the decision noted.

As far as the Comelec is concerned, the party can go ahead with its political plans for the 2010 national and presidential elections.

In the House of Representatives, Speaker Prospero Nograles said the decision of the Comelec was expected.

Nograles said De Venecia should not have filed it in the first place because ?it had no legal leg to stand on.?

?Their objective was to delay, derail and destroy the party and the ploy didn?t work. It?s a political reality and must be accepted,? he said in a text message.

The administration party has nominated Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as its presidential candidate next year. It will hold its national convention next month. With a report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQUIRER.net