MANILA, Philippines -- Foretelling Lakas Kampi CMD's doom was just a ploy of Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone to get the party's blessing as the official congressional candidate in his province, according to the party's spokesperson.

Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez insisted that the party would remain standing despite clashes between Lakas originals and Kampi originals who have been gunning for the same local posts, because the merged party earlier on decided that the equity of the incumbent rule would be followed.

Alvarez dared those unhappy with this rule to leave the party.

Evardone, secretary general of the League of Governors and the President's ally, earlier said Lakas Kampi could disintegrate before the 2010 polls because its members have been fighting among themselves or moving to other groups. These could hobble the campaign of its standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, he added.

Evardone, who earlier announced plans to run for Congress, also said he would have no choice but to leave the party if he could not get the official nomination of the Lakas-Kampi party.

But Alvarez said Evardone was making noises because he would not benefit from the "equity of the incumbent" rule. Eastern Samar Rep. Teodolo Coquilla is on his first term, and could seek reelection.

??Don't say that it will disintegrate. You're only saying that because the party is going against what you want,?? Alvarez, referring to Evardone, said over the phone. ?If he's loyal to the party, he should stop talking like that.?

According to Alvarez, squabbling among members is inevitable, especially if a member would like to challenge an incumbent for a post. The Lakas-Kampi?s merged party has formed an arbitration committee to address disputes among members in the local elections.

But he noted that early on in the merger, Lakas Kampi decided that it would support the "equity of the incumbent." This means that a party member seeking reelection to the post he is currently occupying would get the party?s official nomination and support.

?If you cannot follow that rule, get out of the party, but don't malign the party,? he said.

This "equity of the incumbent" rule was necessary to preserve party unity, said Alvarez. Defections by members unhappy with this rule could even make it easier for the Lakas-Kampi party to focus on making its official candidates win, he added.

"We can only have one candidate to preserve unity. If you want to challenge the incumbent, better go to another party so within our party, we can concentrate,? he said.

Alvarez said Lakas-Kampi would be better off fighting another party than dealing with factional strife in its ranks.

Besides, he said, the party would not collapse, precisely because it would have a full complement of candidates and allies.

?As long as we will stick together, and those who will get the official nomination will work sincerely and seriously, we will prevail,? he said.

Lakas Kampi has seen its share of defections, with members moving to the Nacionalista Party whose standard bearer, Sen. Manuel Villar, is doing much better in the surveys compared to Teodoro.