LP Convention in Negros OCC PNoy rallies partymates for a progressive Phl

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III yesterday called on his Liberal Party members to join hands and work for a progressive Philippines.

Aquino, the LP chairman, administered the oaths to 230 new party members during the last day of the two-day provincial LP convention in Talisay City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Of this number, 12 were incumbent Negros Occidental mayors, and about 100 were vice mayors and councilors, said Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occ), the party’s provincial chairman.

Aquino enumerated the gains of his administration, saying these were attained because “we chose the right path.”

“Kung sumasama kayo dito dahil ayaw ninyo ‘yung kasalukuyang dinatnan natin, kung palagay ninyo talagang may nagbabago dito, aba magsama tayo. ... Mangyayari ‘yan dahil pinagtulungan natin ito, pinagsama-samahan natin at dinamayan tayo ng Poong Maykapal,” he said.

“Kung kaya natin sumama na, ‘di ba, sa partido po namin kung ano man ang isyu—o partido na natin ngayon, ‘di ba—kung ano man ang isyu pagtatalakayan nating lahat. Pwede tayong mag-debate mainit sa partido, pagkatapos ‘non magkakaroon ng desisyon. ... nagkakabuo tayo na ito ang dapat na landas na pupuntahan,” he said.

“Kaya naman ‘pag may pagsubok na dadaanan, hindi po mahirap panindigan dahil talaga namang pinag-aralan ‘yung isyu at talaga namang nailabas ang sentimyento ng bawat isa—‘yun po ang napaka-importante sa ating party ideology, ano. ‘Yung individual napaka-importante, may freedom, okay,” said Aquino.

The president said he was thankful that many had joined the LP, but what was more important to him was the gradual change of the society for the better. “Yan ho ang tinayo natin dito eh,” he said.

Aquino was accompanied to the convention by DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas, LP president; Senator Franklin Drilon, LP vice chairman; DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, LP executive vice president, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

Tañada said the Liberal Party has the most number of presidents produced, four of them, than any other political parties.

After the mass oath-taking, Aquino met with members of the United Negros Alliance, a local party of incumbent officials belonging to different major political parties, headed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Benitez said 12 of 32 mayors in Negros Occidental have transferred to LP from Lakas CMD, and he was optimistic that more local officials will be joining the party later on. “This is a big jump for LP from where it was,” he said.

Benitez said the 12 mayors who joined the LP were Mayors Marxlen De la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Leo Rafael Cueva (Sagay City), Patrick Escalante (Cadiz City), Ma. Lourdes Escalante (Manapla), Eric Saratan (Talisay City), Francisco Nazareno (Moises Padilla), Francisco Malabor (Isabela), Alberto Nicor Jr. (La Castellana), Jechonias Manzano (Candoni), Jose Montelibano (Silay City), Araceli Somoso (Calatrava) and Alejandro Mirasol (Binalbagan) who was endorsed by both LP and UNA to run for a congressional seat in June 2 special election to replace the late congressman Iggy Arroyo.