P-Noy witnesses oath-taking of 300 LP members in CAR

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines  – President Aquino witnessed the oath-taking yesterday of 300 new members of the ruling Liberal Party in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Aquino, LP chairman, reminded the local officials that included mayors, congressmen and governors who attended the ceremonies of their mandate to help improve the plight of the poor in their areas and not serve only to benefit themselves.

Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, LP president, administered the oath to the new party members at Benguet State University.

Also present were Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, the party’s executive vice president; Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, LP spokesman; and Secretary Manuel Mamba of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

One of the local leaders, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, said the new LP members consist of incumbent local officials and sectoral leaders from the provinces of Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao and Baguio City.

He said in Filipino they were not there to show off, but to “make sure that the platform of government will stand even if I’m no longer here, even if Mar or Erin or everyone here on stage is no longer here, so that there will still be those serving the real bosses.”

He urged the local officials to do the best they can to uplift the living conditions of the people.

“I firmly believe we can effect change, the only thing needed is someone to lead, and that is what we hope and expect of you,” he told the new LP members.

“For me, whatever happens, I’m just human, and if I’m doing my job well, what a waste if this can’t be continued,” Aquino added.

The new LP-CAR slogan is: “Sa Daang Matuwid, Asensong Walang Patid.”

The LP leaders also conducted the Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD), a prerequisite among the new party members to educate them on the ideology and principles of the party.

Being the party in power, LP officials are committed to advance and institutionalize its political ideology and philosophy to increase the number of believers and supporters who will march along Aquino’s rallying call for the “tuwid na daan” (straight path).

The LP said the new members will be oriented and inspired to align the provincial, district, municipal, and barangay organizing efforts crucial in ensuring strong political influence.

Records of the LP national headquarters showed that party members in the CAR continue to increase.

The prominent officials who were sworn in to the party in 2011 included Governors Eustaquio Bersamin (Abra), Elias Bulut Jr. (Apayao), Nestor Fongwan (Benguet), and Jocel Baac (Kalinga).

At least 50 percent of the municipal mayors in CAR are now LP members.