LP affirms expulsion of 6 bets in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Liberal Party (LP) in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday announced the expulsion of its candidate for congressman and five other bets who are running for city council seats for acts detrimental to the party and contradictory to the principles the party stands for.

The political party of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III also demanded the expelled candidates to refrain from using the name and claiming to be still members of the party in the current campaign for the May 13 elections, LP’s mayoralty aspirant Efraim Pelaez, Jr. told reporters yesterday’s during a press conference.

The local LP chapter expelled yet on Feb. 21 , Angel Rodriguez and aspirants for councilor Rufo Bering, Janvi dela Serna, Celestino Aying, Titing Tumulak, and Jerry Cosep.

 LP secretary-general Mel Senen Sarmiento affirmed the expulsion by March 8 in a letter sent from the party’s national headquarters at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Pelaez Jr., chairman of the local party in Lapu-Lapu City disclosed that the expelled candidates demanded a memorandum of agreement that would grant them the right to select and distribute 50 percent of all job orders, contracts of employment and consultancies if and when elected in May.

“It’s like counting eggs that haven’t hatched yet,” Pelaez said.

Pelaez said what Rodriguez and his allies demanded for runs contrary to LP’s stance against patronage politics and good governance.

The issue against them compounded when they attacked the party and its remaining official candidates in their radio programs and sorties with baseless accusations and black propaganda after they were consistently refused since November last year of what they wanted, he said.

While their candidacy is not affected by the party action, Pelaez said they are no longer authorized to carry the name of the party and will be dealt with legally for misrepresentation.

Pelaez said LP continues its visits to barangays to show to people that the party is strong despite the conflict with Rodriquez’s group. – with Bong Soriano of Banat News  (FREEMAN)