TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III stood as witness to the oathtaking of hundreds of converts of the Liberal Party, who became members of the ruling party.
The pledge of allegiance to LP by the new converts, mostly municipal officials and allies and other sectors, was administered by party stalwart and Senator TJ Guingona at the Bohol Cultural Center in this city the other day.
The event signaled the LP’s preparation in time for the filing of certificates of candidacy next week for the 2013 elections. It also came five days after Vice President Jejomar Binay sworn in his new recruits in Bohol for the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
Aquino arrived here at noon, about four hours past schedule, from Leyte and directly met with some 6,000 barangay officials who participated in the Barangay Officials’ Day in a separate venue and delivered his message there.
The president’s 20-minute speech emphasized that electing an LP member into the local government meant putting the people first and above self-vested interests. This drew a thunderous applause from the converts.
Aquino was accompanied by Senator Guingona, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Akbayan Rep. Riza Hontiveros and other bigwigs of the LP.
They were met by provincial officials, led Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Rep. Rene Relampagos (1st district, Bohol), Trinidad town Mayor Roberto Cajes, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Bohol chapter, and Provincial Board members.
Prior to the president’s arrival, party officials conducted what they called Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD) as a prerequisite for new members’ admission to the party.
It was not immediately known when the party certificate of nomination and acceptance would be given to local LP members for the filing of their COCs starting October 1. (FREEMAN)