LP-Drilon faction still with majority coalition

Majority of the members of the Liberal Party (LP), from both the rival factions of Sen. Franklin Drilon and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, are still supportive of the Arroyo administration, a ranking party member disclosed yesterday.

Rep. Rodolfo Bacani, LP chairman for Manila, told reporters during the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel forum in Quezon City, that the internal rift in the party has not affected its support for the Arroyo administration.

"The LP still belongs to the rainbow coalition (parties supporting Mrs. Arroyo) in the House of Representatives, we are still supporting President Arroyo," Bacani said.

Bacani, however, explained that the party has not officially taken a collective stand on Charter change and just allowed members to abide with their individual convictions.

Bacani said the recent ruling of the Commission on Election had nullified the election of Atienza and the other LP officials who were elected on March 2 at a Manila hotel to challenge the leadership of Drilon as the party president.

He, however, expressed concern over the ruling of the poll body that set the party’s new election on Nov. 13 at the Manila Hotel, which will pave the way for the take over of the party leadership.

Bacani explained that if they fail to attend the election set by Comelec, the other faction would be recognized if they will participate in the Comelec-sponsored election.

"Our lawyers are studying our option including the possible filing of a case before the Supreme Court," he said.

He said this is the first time that the Comelec has practically interfered with the internal affairs of the party, which would set a bad precedent in the future internal disputes of other political parties.

"Comelec would be preoccupied while attending to the internal affairs of more than 100 political parties in the Philippines if the ruling (on the LP row) prevails," Bacani said.

He said as far as they are concerned, the term of Drilon will expire in November next year because he was elected in November 2004 and was given a fixed three-year term.

The Comelec said that Drilon’s term expired last July because he was only serving the unfinished term of the party’s former president, Florencio Abad.

"We do not share the view of the Comelec," Bacani added.

Pledges of support from LP provincial chapters have started coming in for the Nov. 13 LP elections of new officers.

The LP Atienza wing also batted for the participation of all party leaders that are incumbent elected officials in the voting.

Local officials have reportedly expressed support for Atienza, who was elected LP president during the May 2 party polls.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, who supports Atienza, said the election proposed by the Comelec should involve all party leaders to reflect the genuine sentiments of the LP members.