Leni to partymates: Remember ‘true essence’ of LP

MANILA, Philippines - After assuming the chairmanship of the Liberal Party (LP), Vice President Leni Robredo is urging her partymates to help “rebuild” the organization amid criticisms being thrown against them under the Duterte administration.

The National Executive Council of the LP ratified Robredo’s chairmanship at a meeting at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City last Thursday.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan was named LP president. It was their first formal meeting since the May 2016 elections.

In her speech, Robredo told her fellow LP members to return to the “true essence” of the party as the voice of the people.

She said ordinary Filipinos are the “true voice of democracy.”

“Despite the many sacrifices, in the midst of darkness and trials, our love for our country hopefully will give us strength,” the Vice President said in Filipino.

The past year saw the LP’s numbers dwindle, with hundreds of its members jumping ship to the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

There are 25 members of the LP in the House, 20 of whom, however, are part of the so-called “super majority” in Congress.   

Earlier, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said more impeachment raps might be lodged against Robredo before the House of Representatives this month.

Two impeachment complaints filed earlier against Robredo before the House failed to get endorsement from lawmakers.

The two complaints were filed by Marcos loyalist Oliver Lozano and a group of President Duterte supporters led by lawyers Trixie Angeles and Bruce Rivera and professor Antonio Contreras.