LDP GEARING UP FOR 2013 POLLS

The Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) has empowered its chairman and president, Senator Edgardo J. Angara, to enter into coalitions in preparation for the May 2013 midterm elections.

In a National Executive Council Meeting held today at the Manila Hotel, the LDP passed a resolution giving Angara full authority to negotiate and enter into coalitions with other political parties. The LDP said party coalitions would create a more stable political environment in the run up to next year's polls.

The executive council also signed a resolution giving the party vice presidents--former Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Rodolfo Agabayani for Luzon, former Aklan Rep. Allen Quimpo for Visayas, and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat for Minadanao--the authority to sign the certificates of candidacy of LDP candidates.

During the 2010 national elections, a total of 139 LDP members were elected to the positions of councilor, vice mayor, mayor, board member, vice governor, governor, and representative. LDP members elected to Congress were Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara and 1st District of Bohol Rep. Rene L. Relampagos.

"We may not be the biggest and most dominant party, but our continued success only means that our connection with our constituents is strong and enduring, based on a solid track record of service," Angara said.

"Our members are not fair-weathered friends because they stay with the party based on shared principles and values," he added.

The LDP chairman also reported that the party remains one of the most productive for having been behind many landmark laws enacted by Congress.

During the 14th Congress, these laws were the new charters of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (RA 9576) and the Pag-Ibig Fund (RA 9679), Personal Equity And Retirement Account (RA 9505), Real Estate Investment Trust (RA 9856), Credit Information System Act (RA 9510), the Pre-Need Code (RA 9829), Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (RA 10142); Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), National Book Development Trust Fund Act (RA 9521), Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513), Salary Standardization Law (Congressional Joint Resolution No. 4), and the P12 million fund for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (Congressional Joint Resolution No. 5).

In the present 15th Congress, the LDP was a proponent of the Kindergarten Education Act (RA 10157), GOCC Governance Act (RA 10149), Rationalizing the Nightwork Prohibition on Women Workers (RA 10151), Extending the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate (RA 10150), and Adjusting the rate of Subsidiary Imprisonment (RA 10159).

Two other measures are awaiting enactment, the Data Privacy Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The measure creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology is pending before a bicameral committee, while the Early Childhood Care and Development Act was re-filed after being vetoed by the President.

The LDP is also the primary proponent of the Political Party Development Act.

"Strong political parties and good governance are interlinked. Hence, a weak political structure give rises to a weak government. And weak democratic institutions breed corruption and boom-and-bust development," Angara said.

"Through the PPDA, we hope to transform political parties into public institutions that are accountable, transparent, and representative--values the LDP has endeavored to uphold ever since."

The council commended LDP's incumbent members for being at the forefront of promoting the ideals of LDP.

Angara believes the LDP will once again be successful in the coming elections. "Ours is a platform deeply rooted in the people's will."