DEMOCRACY FORUM: Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas (right) says the Liberal Party will defend the country from the “creeping authoritarianism” seen being pushed by the administration, particularly in the issuance of Executive Order No. 739 last month, which he said could be a means by which the national government can extend its reach in local communities through military leaders at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels. Roxas was a guest speaker in the National Institute for Policy Studies’ Democracy Forum commemorating the declaration of Martial Law 36 years ago, along with former Senate President Jovito Salonga (left), Senator Rodolfo Biazon, LP Secretary-General Jun Abaya and Institute for Political and Electoral Reform Executive Director Ramon Casiple.