Angara: Rejuvenated LDP again recruiting members

The opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) is in the process of rejuvenating and expanding its membership to further enhance its role "as a strong pillar of the democratic mainstream and a catalyst for reforms," party president Sen. Edgardo Angara said yesterday.

The LDP, the largest opposition party, has begun recruiting members from a broad base of sectors — from the grassroots to the boardrooms, even academe, Angara said.

"A political party should not live in a time warp. It should be dynamic, forward-looking and forever in search for new ideas and for talented, idealistic and fresh warm bodies," he said.

"This is what the LDP is all about now," he added.

The newly recruited members would be sworn in soon and who "with their enthusiasm and idealism would play a key role in shaping the future of the party," remarked Angara, who has been at odds with an LDP faction led by Senate colleague Panfilo Lacson since the presidential elections last year.

The Angara-led LDP supported then the candidacy of the late popular actor, Fernando Poe Jr. in challenging President Arroyo’s bid for a fresh mandate in the May polls.

Lacson gained several supporters from the LDP in pushing through with his shot at the presidency. Poe and Lacson placed second and third, respectively, in the final tally.

And the Angara-Lacson tiff has led to a fragmented opposition even as its officials are urging for reconciliation and reunification.

The LDP however had the second biggest number of elected officers in the 2004 polls.

Angara said the party is also in the process of reviewing its agenda to suit the needs of changing political times, and make it a relevant force in debates concerning policy directions for the country.

"A political party has a great responsibility to the nation. In other countries, the country goes where the ruling political coalition or the ruling party takes it. In our case, as an opposition party, we should do our share to influence the great effort to shape national directions," Angara said.

According to the party leader, they will further strengthen the LDP Party Institute to ensure that what the party believes in "are in step with the times and relevant."

Angara hastened to add that they are foursquare behind the democratic processes which means it "fiscalizes when the need arises and cooperates with the party in power when the situation so demands."

"Rigidity, bigotry, a party with ideological blinders — these belong to the archives," Angara said.