Liberal Party vows less infighting; Aga sworn in

MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party-led coalition would do its best to minimize infighting in the selection of unity candidates for local positions.

Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, Liberal Party (LP) secretary-general, gave the assurance as actor Aga Muhlach and 63 other local officials took their oath as new LP members Friday before Transportation and Communications Secretary and LP president Mar Roxas.

Muhlach said he plans to run as congressman of the fourth congressional district of Camarines Sur, the post

currently held by Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella.

Abaya said the coalition is finalizing its senatorial lineup and the shortlist is down to 16 candidates.

Once the senatorial lineup has been firmed up, the leaders of the parties in the coalition would decide on whom to field as common candidates in local positions, he said.

Abaya said the coalition would try to enforce the “equity of the incumbent” rule. This means that incumbent local officials would have a say on who would be fielded as administration bet.

“Free zones” would be declared in areas where there would be multiple pro-administration candidates, he said.

“In reality these issues will come out. At the local level, even if there is a coalition, if they are determined to run, they will run and you can’t avoid that,” Abaya said.

“Of course from our end, we are trying to minimize it, that’s why we keep our lines open. That’s the hardest part but I think these conflicts would be a minority or an exception rather than the rule,” he added.

The LP has 37 governors and 88 congressmen as members.

Nacionalista Party (NP) spokesman former Surigao governor Robert Barbers also gave assurance that candidates in both local and national levels would be given equal support and importance.

The administration coalition is composed of the LP, NP led by Sen. Manuel Villar and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

“The NP is a party of equals and is now part of a coalition of equals. It doesn’t discriminate against candidates running for local position or a national elective post,” Barbers said.

He said reports claiming “mistreatment” of NP members were “unfair and divisive.”

Barbers said an arbitration committee of the coalition was created to iron out differences in the local level with the end view of fielding formidable common coalition tickets.