LDP empowers Angara to forge alliances for polls

The Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) has given its chairman and president, Sen. Edgardo Angara, the full authority to enter into coalitions with other political parties and select the party’s standard-bearer for the May 2004 national elections.

Angara said yesterday that a majority of the LDP members are behind him. In fact, he said Laban regional chapters have passed resolutions this year expressing full support and confidence in his leadership.

"It was based on that trust and confidence in Angara’s leadership that we have decided to give him full authority to negotiate and enter into coalitions with other political parties," the opposition senator said, quoting Rep. Jun Chipeco, Laban regional chairman for Region 4-A.

"We firmly believe that Senator Angara can steer the party to victory in next year’s elections, and as such, we have also given him full authority to select the party’s standard-bearer for the 2004 presidential elections," Chipeco added.

Angara’s party leadership is also fully supported by Laban stalwarts Senators Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Rodolfo Biazon as well as Governors Antonio Calingin and George Hofer of Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga del Sibugay and former Agusan del Sur governor Valentina Plaza, Caraga regional chair.

Biazon said that the LDP is further closing its ranks after noting several attempts to divide the party by questioning the validity of the resolutions passed by members expressing confidence in Angara’s leadership.

"It is imperative for the opposition to unite and field a formidable presidential candidate. The opposition would be easily defeated if it does not unite. Unity is an essential weapon against the administration party which controls the vast resources of government," Biazon said.

Angara revealed that among those who reaffirmed their trust and confidence in his leadership were Rep. Tinnex Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro; Rep. Rodolfo San Luis of Laguna; Rep. Hussin Amin of Sulu; Rep. Bella Angara Castillo of Aurora; former congressman Ramon Bagatsing, Jr.; Miguel Romero, LDP chairman-Region 7; Eriberto Loreto, LDP chairman-Region 8); and Manny Andaya, LDP chairman-Region 4B); Raul Ople of Bulacan, LDP co-chairman-Region 3; Ilocos Sur Board member Ed Zaragoza, LDP chairman-Region 1, and Acmad Tamawis, LDP-ARMM regional co-chair.