Maliksi, 20,000 other Cavite pols join LP

Cavite Gov. Ireneo "Ayong" Maliksi said his entry into the Liberal Party (LP) will breathe new life into the politics and economy of his province.

Maliksi and 20,000 other Cavite leaders were sworn in last Friday at the historic Imus Plaza by no less than Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is the LP president.

Imus was chosen because aside from being Maliksi’s hometown, it was also the site of the proclamation of Philippine Independence from Spain in 1898.

The ceremony was graced by LP stalwarts in Congress and the Cabinet, among them Senators Mar Roxas and Francis Pangilinan, Deputy House Speaker for Luzon Rep. Benigno Aquino III, Education Secretary Florencio Abad and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor.

Drilon said they invited Maliksi to join the LP because he was able to turn Cavite into one of the most industrialized areas in the country.

He said Maliksi was a good politician and good politics makes for good governance.

Drilon said the 58-year-old LP boasts of four senators, 34 House members, three Cabinet members, 15 governors, seven mayors and thousands of local officials.

Drilon said he believes Maliksi and his fellow Caviteños will contribute much to the strength and effectiveness of the party.

The 20,000 Cavite leaders who were inducted included former Rep. Plaridel Abaya and his son, Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, provincial board members from the three congressional districts, the presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Provincial Councilors’ League, municipal mayors, vice mayors and other local leaders.