Press Release
January 30, 2008

62ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Roxas: LP to conduct more community service
projects through partnership with local executives

Liberal Party President Sen. Mar Roxas said the 62nd LP anniversary bash in Quezon City today would usher the fresh thrust of the party to re-establish ties with the grassroots communities through workable collaboration with local governments units on social services and development projects.

"We thank Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for allowing us to make Quezon City the pilot project of our new direction to put the people first and make the LP relevant to the plight of the poor masses," Roxas said. "Today's activities will be the start of more LP community service and social development projects in collaboration with LGUs."

At least 50 doctors and 20 dentists are set to accompany Roxas and other LP leaders for a series of community-based activities in Barangay Commonwealth to commemorate the LP anniversary. Aside from the medical and dental outreach the activities included a palengke visit, a mini-town hall dialogue, a livelihood training seminar and a job fair.

Dubbed as "Lingkod Bayan: Handog ng LP sa QC," Roxas said the LP will soon visit other localities to hold similar community-based activities.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was named LP national chairman, explained that the LP would set aside its usual practice of holding public gatherings for political speeches and replace it "with concrete and tangible service-oriented programs at the grassroots level."

Meanwhile, Roxas said he would soon announce the name of other LP officials who would serve as chairman of key party committees.

On Tuesday, Roxas announced that Drilon retained his former post as LP national while Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo "Jun" Abaya was designated as the party's secretary general.

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was named Executive Vice President while former Education Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Bong Montesa was named Director General. Quezon Governor Raffy Nantes retained his position as party treasurer.

Aquino replaced Roxas as party EVP while Abaya took the place of former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta who will now concentrate as Executive Director of the Council of Asian Liberal and Democrats (CALD). Montesa, who served as assistant secretary to Abad at the education department, replaced outgoing LP Director General Chit Asis.

The anniversary celebration will start with a palengke visit starting at 6:30 a.m. where the LP leaders will share breakfast at a carenderia with ordinary market vendors, market officials, and public utility vehicle drivers.

Later in the morning, the LP leaders join volunteer medical workers as well as some 20 health workers and midwives for a free medical and dental mission at the Barangay Commonwealth Covered Court .

A "mini town hall" meeting will then be held at the SB Plaza along Commonwealth Avenue where Roxas will dialogue with over 500 barangay captains, transport groups, labor and urban poor group leaders over current issues such as the proposal to suspend the implementation of the Expanded Value Added Tax law on petroleum products. This will be followed by a livelihood training seminar and job fair for local residents.

Roxas had vowed to build a strong, united and modern LP, which he said, must be attuned to the modern world but rooted in the party's core values and traditions. He said he would lead the LP in propagating the party's core beliefs that are "conscience over ambition, principles above glory and integrity over power."

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