Press Release
January 16, 2006
Drilon: LP adopts individual conscience vote on Cha-Cha
The Liberal Party (LP) will allow individual members to take a
conscience-based position on the proposals to amend the 1987
Constitution, Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin
Drilon said today.
Drilon said LP leaders have agreed to adopt a principle that
individual party members are allowed to take his or her own
position on sensitive political issues besetting the country.
The LP will celebrate its 60th anniversary with the theme Advancing
the gains of Liberal Democracy in Asia: Marking the 60th Anniversary
of the LP in the Philippines with a three-day celebration and
activities starting Thursday, Jan. 19, that will culminate with a
testimonial luncheon in honor of former Senate President Jovito R.
Salonga, chairman emeritus of the party, on Saturday, Jan. 21.
We reached an accord to respect each others position on different
issues and maintain Liberal Party unity for the sake of the
country, said LP Secretary General Tarlac Rep. Benigno Noynoy
Aquino.
Aquinos statement was echoed by Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya
Jr., who said the party members, especially those in the House of
Representatives, were more than capable of setting aside their
political differences when the interests of the party and the
country were at stake. Andaya is a known supporter of President
Arroyo.
Andaya noted that the covenant for unity was originally broached and
agreed during a party caucus held at the residence of Sen. Mar Roxas
in October last year. The meeting was attended by about 25 LP House
members.
We agreed during the series of meeting that the interests of the
country, the Filipino people, and the Party, not our interests, will
come first, Andaya said. No political Party or political figure
can ignore the Liberal Party now. We are determined to make the
Liberal Party a force to reckon with, said Andaya.
Andaya brushed aside talks that some LP members have been adopted by
other political parties. We agreed during the series of meeting
that the interests of the country, the Filipino people, and the
Party, not our interests, will come first, Andaya said.
The LP anniversary celebration will start with Asian Regional
Conference on Liberalism and Democracy in Asia to be held at the
Dusit Hotel in Makati City on Thursday, according to Senate Majority
Leader Francis Pangilinan, LP vice chairman and chairman of the 60th
Anniversary Celebration Committee.
It will be followed by a book launching by Liberal Philippines later
at the same venue. The book will contain case studies on the unique
election experiences of two reform-oriented local politicians, LP
Reps. Neric Acosta of Bukidnon and Dina Abad of Batanes. On Thursday
afternoon, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, LP chairman, will lead a rally
at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila.
On Jan. 20, a LP photo exhibit will be opened and a pamphlet on the
LP Historical Milestones will be launched at the Ali Mall in Cubao,
Quezon City. The activities are sponsored by the National Institute
on Policy Studies, Liberal Philippines and the Friedrich Naumann
Foundation.
On the same day, local LP charter celebrations will be held
simultaneously in Benguet, La Union, Cagayan, Cavite, Lucena, Naga
City, Guimaras, Capiz, Caraga Region, Bukidnon, Davao City and
Muntinlupa City.
On Jan. 21, a testimonial lunch in honor of Salonga will be held at
Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, which will be attended by
members of the LP National Executive Committee and guests. An award
ceremony will later be held for the winners of the Liberal Essay
Writing Contest sponsored by Liberal Philippine and Kalipi, the
youth arms of the LP. |