Liberal Party launches campaign pitch

MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party (LP) launched yesterday its “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” campaign to solicit more support from the people as the elections draw near.

During LP’s 64th anniversary celebration at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, LP standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and running mate Sen. Manuel Roxas II led the signing of the “manifesto of hope” where they pledged to fight corruption in government, social and political conflict, and poverty.

The campaign also pushes for proper education, affordable health services, and a greener environment.

More than 700 LP candidates in the local and national levels attended the event.

In his speech, Aquino said President Arroyo had promised to end corruption and patronage politics but failed to deliver.

“But what happened? Corruption worsened, when before they ask for percentage from certain projects, the projects are now the ones getting percentage from commissions or tongpats,” Aquino said, referring to “patong” or insertions in a government project’s contract price to accommodate commissions.

“This is the challenge before us and that is why the message is and has to be – corruption denies our people, especially the poor, access to basic services such as food, health, basic education, jobs and livelihood which in turn make them poorer and more vulnerable,” Aquino said.

In his speech, Roxas said one of the strengths of the LP is its line up of young and idealistic leaders that had joined them for “new politics.”

Aquino and Roxas acknowledged some of them who were present, including Quezon City vice mayoral candidate Joy Belmonte-Alimurung.

“We have new faces: young, dynamic, new leaders who could have chosen other parties. Some say, join us, we have the money, we will buy this and that. The others say, be with us, we are the ones in power and we will be the ones to dictate. But these leaders - young and idealistic - chose to join us,” Roxas said.

SLAMAT LORD

LP has also come up with SLAMAT LORD, an acronym that serves as a mnemonic for its senatorial candidates.

The acronym stands for Sonia Roco, the widow of the late senator Raul Roco; detained Brig. Gen. Danny Lim; former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta; doctor Martin Bautista; lawyer Alex Lacson; Bukidnon Rep. TG Guingona; Muslim women’s rights activist Yasmin Busran-Lao; former Sen. Sergio Osmena III; Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon; former Sen. Ralph Recto; Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros; and former Senate President Franklin Drilon.