MANILA, Philippines?Ray Roquero, executive director of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, on Sunday shrugged off reports of defections from the country's largest political party to resurgent, old school parties Liberal and Nacionalista.

?There's no exodus. On the contrary, we are getting bigger and stronger because of the entry of more incumbent representatives, governors, and mayors. The few who were forced to seek other parties were expected to do it in a desperate bid to shore up their chances," said Roquero in a text message.

He said that those who have jumped ship were ?insignificant? and could not cripple the merged party which has yet to come up with a vice presidential bet for its anticipated standard-bearer, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Roquero said that while the party might have lost some, it got its own catch of recruits in recent weeks notably former members of the Liberal Party allied with Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and led by Representative Alvin Sandoval (Malabon Navotas), Magtanggol Gunigundo (Valenzuela), Mary Mitzy Cajayon (Caloocan), Glen Chong (Biliran), Reynaldo Uy (Western Samar), Rodolfo Valencia (Oriental Mindoro), Solomon Chungalao (Ifugao), and Jose Antonio Roxas (Pasay City).

Roquero expected Representatives Benjamin Agarao (Laguna), Paul Daza (Samar), and Arthur Pingoy (South Cotabato) to follow suit.

From local government, Roquero said Marinduque Governor Jose Antonio Carrion, Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, and Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo would further boost the party's ranks with their entry.

?Nothing to worry about," said Roquero.