News 2005

Liberal Party to hold three-day celebration to commemorate 60th anniversary

To commemorate its 60th founding anniversary, the Liberal Party (LP) will hold a three-day celebration with activities nationwide that will culminate with a testimonial luncheon in honor of former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga, chairman emeritus of the party, on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Incumbent Senate President and LP head Franklin Drilon said the theme of the celebration will be "Honoring and celebrating our traditions: leading the way of reforms towards a liberating society." The activities will start on Thursday, Jan. 19. More...

Statement of Sen. Biazon on the calls to abrogate the VFA

Junking the Visiting Forces Agreement on the basis of the alleged rape of a Filipina in Olongapo is an over-reaction that may affect the Philippines’ national interest and the country’s military capability. It should not be our primary option in addressing the issue of US servicemen who are suspected of gang-raping a woman while they were on shore leave. More...

BI relaxes requirements on Dual Citizen-Act; Filipino-American groups thank Drilon

Upon the strong representation of Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relaxed the implementing guidelines on the Dual Citizenship Act to address the complaints of thousands of Filipino-Americans who claimed that the process of reacquiring Filipino citizenship was too tedious and onerous. More...

Drilon lauds decision of LP congressmen to stay united in House Speakership fight

Senate President Franklin Drilon today applauded the decision of the 34 Liberal Party (LP) Congressmen to set aside their "political and personal differences" and reunite in order to be able to vote "as a solid block" in the looming fight for the Speakership at the House of Representatives.

"I have always believed that LP members will raise above their personal interests for the sake of the party and the country," said Drilon, revealing that he strongly urged the LP Congressmen to take a united stand on the issue of the House leadership during a party caucus held at the residence of Sen. Mar Roxas last Oct. 25. More...

Senate to approve Juvenile Justice Bill by mid-November, says Drilon

The Senate will approve on third and final reading the Juvenile Justice Bill which seeks to address the problem of Filipino minors languishing in jail with adult criminals, Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon said today.
           
Drilon said Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, a fellow LP member, reported out the Senate Justice Committee report on the measure a few weeks before the holiday break. More...

VAT will be felt most by the poor - Tañada

Representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III (Liberal Party, 4th District, Quezon Province) strongly disagreed with government economic officials when they claimed that the poor will not be that much affected by VAT as according to their press release, “cooking gas and commuting costs are perhaps the only significant commodities subject to the new VAT Law”  More...

LP members unite for national interest

Members of the Liberal Party have agreed to set aside political differences and unite as one for the interest of the Party, the country and the Filipino people.

The decision was arrived at after a series of meetings, the culmination of which was on the evening of Tuesday, October 25. 

Deputy Speaker for Central Luzon Benigno Aquino III said the LP members have agreed to avoid bickering and infighting even if there were disagreements over certain issues as these only fan the fires of national disunity. More...

Anti-terrorism bill, a revival of the anti-subversion law, LP solon says

“It is the same dog with a different collar!”

This was how a Liberal Party congressman today described the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which he said is “a revival of the Republic Act 1700 or the anti-subversion law” that was repealed during the term of President Corazon Aquino.

Rep. Lorenzo III Tañada (4th District, Quezon) said the proposed anti-terrorism bill resembles the anti-subversion law during the Marcos regime, which was used to jail (members of) the legitimate opposition and hunt down suspected “enemies of the State including communist and Muslim rebels.” More...

EVAT implementation to trigger GMA's downfall - LP

The imposition of the ten percent Expanded Value Added Tax law is the last nail that would finally seal the coffin of the Arroyo administration, two Liberal Party congressmen today declared.

“EVAT is the height of economic repression under this administration.  It is going to be the final straw that would break the camel’s back,” Rep. Manuel Mamba of the 3rd District of Cagayan said. More...

LP assumes chairmanship of The Council of Asean Liberal and Democrats (CALD) in 2006

The Council of Asean Liberal and Democrats (CALD) convened for its handover ceremony last October 14, 2005. The current Chairman of CALD, President Chen Shui-Bian of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) turned the chairmanship over to Senate and Liberal Party President Franklin M. Drilon, to be effective on 2006. This is the second time that the Liberal Party will chair CALD. More...

CALD General Assembly

On October 14, 2005 the Council of Asian Liberal and Democrats held its General Assembly at the  Holiday Inn Asia World Hotel, Taipei,Taiwan. Representing the Liberal party of the Philippines where Congressman Neric Acosta, Executive Vice-President; Congresswoman Dinah Abad, Vice President for Sectors; and Director-General Chit Asis. More...

LP Women Leaders participate in the Liberal International Women Workshop on the theme: Advancing Women in in Politics

On October 13, 2005 CALD sponsored a women conference, entitled: “Advancing Women in Politics: the role of political parties”. The activity was in support of the  Liberal International   movement, known as  the  “Win with Women Global Action Plan” organized in Bucharest Romania last October 2004 and started with a series of conferences and workshops on the role of women in political parties. More...

Senate President tells Malacañang: Junk discredited CPR

Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon today urged Malacanang to junk altogether the discredited calibrated preemptive response
(CPR) which he said “only instigated state violence on otherwise peaceful religious marches and political rallies.” More...

LP solons urge SC to void House ruling dismissing impeachment raps vs. GMA

CONGRESSMEN belonging to the Liberal Party, together with lawyer’s group, LIBERTAS, last October 10 petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the decision of the House of Representatives and the House Committee on Justice dismissing the impeachment complaints filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. More...

Terror bill terrorizing the people - Tañada

TERROR is now sweeping across the nation, no thanks to the terror bill, which, once enacted into law, will be used by the government to crush the civil and human rights of both ordinary citizens and known personalities opposing President Arroyo and exposing the shenanigans in her administration, Rep. Erin Tañada declared today. More...

1st LP Women Consultation Held

The National HQ of the Liberal Party together with NIPS played host to the first LP Consultation on Women, under the theme “Advancing Women in Politics” as part of the Liberal Party’s drive to organize major sectors of Philippine society and offer better opportunities for women, particularly in the field of governance. More...

NIPS, LP, hold on national organizing

The Liberal Party of the Philippines, along with the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), the think tank of Philippine liberalism, held a National Organizing Preparatory Workshop last September 23 – 24 at the Phil. Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) headquarters in Mo. Ignacia, QC. More...

LP Director General replies to Alvin Capino Column

Letter to the editor

September 14, 2005

Cong. Teddyboy Locsin
Publisher
Manila Standard-Today

Attention: Mr. Leo Estonilo
Op-Ed Editor

Dear Sirs,

This is regarding the column of Alvin Capino entitled “Quo Vadis LP?” which was published by your newspaper yesterday, Sept. 13.

While we appreciate the concern of Mr. Capino on the political developments within the Liberal Party, allow me to comment on a number of his observations in the interest of fair play and a better understanding of the issues by your esteemed Manila Standard Today readers. More...

If you want to access the article of Mr. Alvin Capino
click here.

LP stand remains:
Impeach GMA

The Liberal Party is standing by its position to support the impeachment proceeding against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo even as it allows individual members to express his or her views and make personal decisions related to these issues under the principle of liberal democracy

Former education undersecretary Chito Gascon, speaking in behalf of the Party, said Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is head of the LP, has vehemently denied allegations that the Party leadership was exerting “pressure” on Cagayan Rep. Florencio Vargas to sign the impeachment complaint against the President. More...

LCCS holds General Assembly

The Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS), one of the Party’s leading Allied Sectoral Organizations, convened last Thursday, 1 September 2005, at the Sulo Hotel in Manila to reassess and plan for its reorganization.

The organization has been inactive since preparations for the elections of 2004 took up the time for many of the members, who were assisting their principals in their campaigns.

“Right now, the officers are all in a holdover capacity,” Jonathan Malaya, Coordinator for the LCCS, said in his presentation of the status of the organization during the general assembly. Malaya mentioned that they will conduct several activities in the coming months in order to re-establish the LCCS. “We want to turn-over a strong organization to our successors,” he said. More...

"The Lozano Complaint is a Trojan Horse" - Tañada

Quezon Representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III said former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman’s revelations are damning, if indeed she witnessed how President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo tasked Atty. Oliver Lozano and Alagad Partylist Representive Rodante Marcoleta to file the first complaint.

“It just goes to show that the Lozano complaint is a Trojan Horse meant to exculpate President Arroyo from the charges leveled against her. It is a good thing that the amended complaint can stand on its own and is not dependent on the Lozano complaint. If anything, the majority has all the more reason to put weight on the amended complaint rather than the Lozano complaint,” he said. More...

Abad pushes for more protection for whistleblowers

Rep. Henedina Razon-Abad today introduced a House Bill 4282, a measure seeking increased protection and incentives for whistleblowers in graft and corruption cases.

The proposed measure, entitled the “Informers and Anti-Corruption Witnesses Protection Act of 2004,” sets up a mechanism to secure potential informers and witnesses on graft and corruption cases by (1) establishing a rewards system for informers; (2) protecting informants against civil and criminal liability when they make public interest disclosures; (3) ensuring that public interest disclosures are made to the proper public entity; (4) ensuring that the inappropriate publication of unsubstantiated disclosures does not damage the reputation of those accused, and (5) ensuring that proper records on disclosures are kept. More...

Abad advocates for prosecution of cheats in Civil Service examinations

Led by Batanes Rep. Henedina Razon-Abad, the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation today approved HB 4435, a measure seeking to prosecute cheating and other acts of dishonesty in civil service examinations.

The proposed bill makes unlawful any form of cheating in civil service examinations, including unauthorized use and possession of CSC examination-related materials, and grants the CSC exclusive jurisdiction over these cases of cheating and dishonesty, including those committed by private individuals. More...

Drilon hits "Martial Law" type raid on Opposition safehouse in San Mateo

Senate President Franklin Drilon denounced today what he described as "a Martial Law-type operation" where police and military operatives raided an opposition safehouse without a search warrant in San Mateo town in Rizal Province early Wednesday.

"Are we back to the days of Martial Law when the president then conveniently converted our military and police officials into his personal, political goons," Drilon asked in a prepared statement. More...

LP solons criticize hasty suspension order against Maliksi

Liberal Party (LP) congressmen yesterday criticized the undue haste and lack of due process of the Deputy Office of the Ombudsman in ordering the suspension of Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi, an LP member.

At the same time, they also see the filing of the case as part of a political harassment by the administration on the LP. The LP called for President Arroyo’s resignation and supports her impeachment in the House of Representatives.

“Why the undue haste and the seeming lack of due process?” Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III of Quezon asked. More...

Drilon on Jaraula cha-cha plan: "A WASTE OF TIME"

"A waste of time. We will not participate in the charade. We will do just nothing."

Thus was the reaction today of Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon on the threat of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments that the House of Representatives would proceed with the revision of the 1987 Constitution even without the participation of the Senate.

"They are entitled to waste their own time," Drilon said in an interview. He maintained that the move, as announced Tuesday by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, would be "unconstitutional." More...

LP candidate: Don’t proclaim ‘winners;’ massive cheating occurred in ARMM polls

Liberal Party (LP) vice gubernatorial candidate Hatta Dimaporo in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) yesterday appealed to the COMELEC not to proclaim the winners in Monday’s elections because massive cheating occurred in many areas in the region.

“We in the ARMM are treated like robots. We cannot choose our leader. This is the reason why there is no peace in Mindanao,” he said.

Dimaporo said that many of his leaders have texted him that many ballots were filled up the night before the August 8 election in the Second District of Maguindanao and in some parts of Basilan and Sulu. Winning Lakas gubernatorial candidate Zaldy Ampatuan came from Maguindanao’s Second District. More...

Let’s observe sobriety in the impeachment process—LP solons

Members of the Liberal Party (LP) in the House of Representatives yesterday called on their colleagues in the chamber and at the members of the Executive to “observe sobriety and fairness” in handling the impeachment of President Arroyo.

“We owe it to our people to have a speedy and fair resolution of this crisis. They are closely looking at this process with the hope that it will ferret out the truth that everybody has been searching for. So we must observe sobriety and fairness in handling the process and in dealing with each member of the House. Let us truth come out,” LP Rep. Nereus Acosta of Bukidnon said. More...

Con-Ass not in the Constitution—Mandanas

Liberal Party (LP) Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (Batangas) yesterday called on those who want to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly to rethink their proposal because it is not provided for in the Constitution.

“There is no need to convene the Senate and the House of Representatives in a joint session as a constituent assembly to propose amendments to, or revision of the Constitution,” he said, stressing that, “there is no such provision in the Charter.” More...

Tañada calls on Gov't to protect rice farmers and hog raisers vs. Canada's bullying

Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III (LP, 4th District, Quezon) is four-square behind government’s move to push for an extension of the quantitative restriction (QR) against rice imports AND to achieve this without sacrificing any vulnerable sector especially those that are largely made up of small producers.

He made this call in the midst of Canada’s effort to bring down our tariffs on imported pork from 30% to a mere 5% in exchange for the QR retention on rice imports.

“This is outrageous. For one, Canada isn’t a major player in the global rice market nor is it a major rice producer. Second, it already corners the biggest chunk of our pork imports. What more do they want? They already have our hand, they want the entire arm too?” asked the young legislator. More...

"Creeping" Impeachment Doable - Tañada

Liberal Party Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III yesterday said the House should not deliberately change the substantive provisions of the Rules on Impeachment to favor vested interests. Precedents were set and so long as they that precedents are consistent with the spirit and intent of the Constitution on the accountability of public officials, then it must be upheld.

“It [creeping impeachment] wasn’t discussed [in the Committee on Rules.] So I would assume that it is possible that it can be used. It [impeachment rules] mentioned that if one-third [of the House members signed the complaint], then whatever happens, if the committee report is approved or overturned, all you need is one-third to transmit it to the Senate. I think creeping is still allowed,” Tañada, a member of the Committee on Rules which met on Tuesday, said. More...

Malacañang desperate: Trying to "buy" solons, including LP

Two Liberal party (LP) congressmen yesterday added their testimonies, confirming desperate moves of Malacañang in trying to “buy” the congressmen vote against the President’s impeachment.

Cagayan Valley Representatives Manuel Mamba and Florencio Vargas said that that they have been receiving calls from an administration congressman asking them to withdraw their support for the impeachment of President Arroyo. They refused to name the congressman. More...

Moves to unseat me as Deputy Speaker are expected - Noynoy

House of Representative Deputy Speaker Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III yesterday said that he is “expecting” moves to remove him from the House leadership, but said that if that is the price he has to pay for his principles, he will accept it.

“I am expecting that (removal from Deputy Speaker) as a political reality. But my decision was dictated by the principles I am following,” Aquino said in a press release. More...

LP Members in House of Representatives Support
Party Position

Members of the Liberal Party (LP) in the House of Representatives yesterday reiterated the party position on the crisis facing President Arroyo.

“We reiterate the party position to support the constitutional process. We will support the impeachment move in the House against the President. At the same time, we will continue to appeal for her [President Arroyo] to voluntary vacate her post through resignation,” the LP members in the House, led by Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III and Cagayan Rep. Manuel Mamba, said in a press release. More...

Statement of Sen. Mar Roxas on the Gloriagate Issue

Recent events have brought our nation to a crisis.

We confront two problems: (1) the credibility and legitimacy of the presidency, and (2) the urgency with which we must resolve this crisis.

Everyone is agreed that the situation demands the soonest possible resolution: in this regard, several have proposed the resignation of the President. I know many of them to be honest, decent, patriotic people of goodwill. I respect their view, and understand the difficulty with which they have arrived at their position and do share many of their concerns.

I have not reached the same conclusion as yet. More...

Statement of Liberal Party President Franklin Drilon on the Complaint of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza

I assure Manila Mayor Lito Atienza that his complaint against the process by which the Liberal Party National Political Council decided to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be adequately addressed by the LP leadership.

There are party mechanisms and procedures that can address the differences of opinions among LP leaders. But now is not the time for party intramurals. What is important is that we do not lose sight of the paramount issue of the day.

The Liberal Party reiterates its appeal for the President to voluntarily resign and let the constitutional process of succession proceed. The Party maintains that the President’s resignation is a legitimate constitutional option.

Liberal Party Statement Calling for the Resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

The Liberal Party is appealing to the President to vacate her office by way of voluntary resignation. Should she decide not to resign, the Liberal Party shall support an impeachment process.

This painful and difficult decision was taken after intensive analysis of unfolding events, a series of consultations with members of the Party including an advisory vote to guide the Party’s Executive Committee. Twenty voted in favor of resignation, eleven for impeachment, one for leave of absence and one for continued support.

We are convinced that resignation of the President is the best step towards resolution of the current crisis as it will eliminate further uncertainties, ease current and further conflicts and allow our country to move ahead with critical reforms beneficial to our people.

KALIPI Exec. VP calls on Ilocos Sur Prov. Board to be consistent with its stand on the Gloriagate issue

“Is the provincial board of Ilocos Sur afflicted with historical amnesia?”

This was the question raised by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI) Executive Vice President Zuriel Singson Zaragoza after the provincial board’s approved a resolution condemning any move that would effect a change in the government amidst the snowballing demand on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign after admitting on television that she was the one talking to a Comelec official in the wiretapped taped.

As alleged by the united opposition, the President cheated in the last election with the help of a high ranking Comelec official. More...

Statement of Sen. Mar Roxas on allegations that he called Commissioner Virgilio Garciliano

It was reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer today, July 6, that Commissioner Virgilio Garciliano said that I was one of the candidates in the 2004 elections that he talked with.

At no time did I ever call Commissioner Garciliano

The only time I talked with Commissioner Garciliano was in March or early April 2004 when I bumped into him by chance in a restuarant as I was on my way to a lunch meeting. We were introduced and we briefly exchanged pleasantries.

I hope this clarifies any misconception that may have been created by his statements.

Drilon asks Abalos to replace Army, PNP Commanders in ARMM during polls

Senate President and Liberal Party (LP) head Franklin Drilon today asked Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos to replace military and police commanders in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who have shown partiality towards certain political candidates participating in the ARMM elections on Aug. 8.

Drilon said these military and police commanders should be replaced with “fresh and impartial officers who can ensure that the Aug. 8 elections will be credible, orderly, peaceful and honest.” More...

Drilon tells GMA: replace officials who do nothing but erode your credibility

Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon today said key government officials “who have done nothing but erode the President’s credibility” should be immediately replaced as part of the reform package President Arroyo must implement to win back the people’s confidence.

In a statement, Drilon noted that “the President’s willingness to crack down on public officials implicated in the recent scandals as well as their underlings in key government positions will be seen as an important first step towards genuine reforms.” More...

Sen. Pres. and Liberal Party Head Franklin Drilon on the statement of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regarding the wiretapped conversations

As one of the first officials who urged her to confront the issue frontally, I believe the President showed a lot of courage and humility when she finally told the truth about the controversial wiretapped conversations.

Her admission indicated that she is prepared to take full responsibility for any impropriety on her part.

Now that she has spoken, I urge the president to back her words with concrete actions in pursuing the reforms we seek to implement. Concrete actions must now be undertaken if government must win back the confidence of the people. More...

Mayor Atienza, Datu Toto Paglas, Pay Tribute to Rajah Sulayman

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Datu Ibrahim Pendatun “Toto” Paglas today (June 24) led the laying of wreaths and paying tribute to Rajah Sulayman at his monument in Malate, Manila, during the 434th anniversary celebration of the Araw ng Maynila.

Paglas, K4-Liberal Party administration candidate for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), together with his running mate Hattah Dimaporo, laid a wreath at the foot of the monument of Rajah Sulayman, a Muslim mayor of Manila before the Spaniards came and spread Christianity in the city. More...

"Address the Issue",
Drilon Tells Gloria

The majority bloc in the Senate is still in "full support" of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but "she must take the initiative" and "confront the issue," said Senate President Franklin M. Drilon yesterday.

"There are no two ways about it. This cannot be allowed to linger on. She must take the initiative. She cannot be continuously reactive. She must address the issue. She is in the best position to address this issue, no one else," Drilon said in an interview. More...

Pangilinan Pushes for Better Education and Increase in Teachers' Salaries, Files Magna Carta for Students

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan introduced two noble solutions to alleviate the country’s deteriorating educational system. Pangilinan moved to increase the salary grade of public school teachers as well as filed an act providing for a Magna Carta for Students.

“For several years, the government has overlooked the salaries of public school teachers. Hence, the country is losing many of its qualified teachers to more lucrative positions in commerce and industry. Worse, thousands have migrated abroad for better employment opportunities,” Pangilinan said. More...

LP Appeals to GMA:
Maintain "Free Zone" Policy in ARMM Elections

The Liberal Party (LP) today urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to maintain her neutrality in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao election on Aug. 8 and instead concentrate in ensuring the conduct of clean, honest, orderly and credible elections in the region.

In a statement, Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is also LP President, said maintaining her "free-zone" policy and ensuring that the ARMM elections would be fraud-free, peaceful and credible would debunk allegations raised by the opposition that Malacañang manipulates elections results in the Muslim Mindanao areas. More...

Tañada Anti-Smuggling Bill Passes Congress

With the House of Representatives finally mustering a quorum, Representative Lorenzo R. Tañada (Liberal Party, 4th District, Quezon) heaved a sigh of relief as House Bill 4069 which largely originated from Tañada-authored House Bill 3715, passed unanimously yesterday. The vote was 184 in favor, no abstention and no dissension.

“I hope the Senate acts on the bill quickly. If they are able to pass it within the year, then I truly believe that it would contribute to government’s effort to capture a large part of the revenues that are foregone due to technical and outright smuggling,” the young Tañada said. Estimates on government losses from smuggling ranges from P100 billion to P150 billion. That is a huge amount that could almost plug government’s budget deficit. More...

LP Leaders Meet With PGMA
Party affirms "complete and uncompromising adherence" to the Constitution, duly-elected officials, democratic institutions

The Liberal Party of the Philippines met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today, June 6, 2005. More than fifty leaders of the second oldest political party of the country were present during the meeting, which was held over lunch at Malacañang Palace’s Aguinaldo Hall.

Sen. Pres. Franklin M. Drilon, President of the LP, said, “on our initiative, we called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today to reiterate the complete and uncompromising adherence of the Liberal Party to the Constitution, our duly-elected leaders and our established democratic institutions.” More...

Drilon Pushes for Resetting of Opening of Classes to September

The Liberal Party of the Philippines called on Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ensure that the elections of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on August 8 be honest, credible and meaningful.

This was the statement given by the Liberal Party through a resolution drafted during a gathering of its coordinators and candidates for the ARMM elections last Friday, June 3, 2005, at Davao City.

“Free and fair elections is a primary political accountability mechanism,” Sen. Pres. Franklin Drilon, LP President, said in his speech before the Liberal leaders of the ARMM. “I share your hope and optimism that in the August 8 ARMM elections, not a drop of Filipino blood – Muslim or Christian – will be shed.” More...

LP Reiterates Support for PGMA, Backs Anti-Jueteng Campaign

The Liberal Party (LP) reiterated its full support behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her efforts to implement difficult reforms in governance, particularly her latest order to permanently stop jueteng operations in the country.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is also LP president, said the Party will relay its assurance of support for her administration during a lunch meeting with the President Arroyo in Malacanang on Monday, 7 June 2005.

“The Liberal Party stands squarely behind President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, particularly in her current campaign against Jueteng,” Drilon said in a statement. More...

Drilon Says Gonzalez
Should Inhibit Himself from Jueteng Probe
"Let Prosecutor Zuño do his job"

Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon today urged Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to inhibit himself from the executive department task force on jueteng and suggested that Chief Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, a career official, should do the job.

Drilon was reacting to public criticism that Gonzalez has already “prejudged” the ongoing jueteng investigation when the latter declared that self-confessed jueteng operator Wilfredo Mayor was lying when he testified before the Senate inquiry Monday and could be charged in court for violation of the anti-jueteng law and perjury. More...

Two LP Congressmen
Bat for "No Work, No Pay",
Policy in Congress
Tañada, Mamba, cite lack of quorum during sessions as reason for move

Flustered by the lack of quorum during session days in Congress, two Liberal Party Representatives, Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III (4th District, Quezon) and Manual “Manny” Mamba (3rd District, Cagayan) called on the House of Representatives’ leadership to initiate the revision of rules so that a “No Work, No Pay” policy is set in place.

“Ordinary workers, whether they are in the private or public sector, would have deductions in the salary if they do not show up for work. I do not see any reason why the same rule should exempt us,” Mamba said. More...

Mitra Slams Health Secretary for "Irresponsible" Warning on Palawan for Travelers

Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra today blasted as “irresponsible” incoming Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s reported warning that travelers should refrain from going to Palawan due to a rise of malaria cases in the area.

"That statement can only come from an albularyo (a village medicine man) and not from a doctor of medicine," Mitra said.

Mitra said the Department of Health’s own website tagged a different region – Cagayan Valley – as the hotspot of malaria and not Southern Tagalog to which the island province belongs. More...

Drilon Slams Justice Secretary for "Intimidating" Jueteng Witnesses

Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon today slammed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez for allegedly trying to intimidate, instead of encouraging prospective witnesses to come out and testify against big-time jueteng operators and their protectors in government.

"Secretary Gonzalez should stop intimidating witnesses against jueteng," said Drilon. "He should be reminded that he represents the Department of Justice and has, at his disposal, a vast army of government prosecutors. As it is, he sounds very intimidating. In doing so, he can suppress the truth." More...

KALIPI Solidifies Presence in Isabela Province
More than a hundred youth leaders attend seminar

130 youth and student leaders of Isabela Province attended an orientation and planning seminar held by the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI) last 29 May 2005, solidifying the presence of the youth wing in one of the newest LP bailiwicks.

KALIPI Secretary General Jan-Argy Tolentino was visibly impressed by the strong turnout. “We were told that less than a hundred, about 80 or so, would be attending, but it seems like the youth of Isabela came out in force to hear us out,” Tolentino said. More...

Drilon: Muslim Mindanao Badly Needs an Effective Development Manager

The Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) badly needs an effective and development-oriented manager who will be able to bring in the badly-needed foreign investments, business development and eventually jobs in the region, Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon said today.

In a dialogue with student leaders and young professionals from ARMM who visited him at the Senate Tuesday, Drilon explained that the age-old Mindanao conflict can only be resolved if the problems of poverty and underdevelopment will be effectively addressed by a competent, graft-free and dynamic regional government. More...

KALIPI QC Rises Once More
More than 200 young leaders join in re-establishment of the Chapter

As a fitting start for what was once one of the leading Chapters of the organization, more than 200 young leaders attended the KALIPI Basic Orientation seminar last 27 May 2005 at Something Fishy, Libis, QC.

Composed mostly of student and community youth leaders and Sangguniang Kabataan members of the largest city of Metro Manila, the successful holding of the seminar was viewed with much admiration by the leaders of the Party and KALIPI who were present. More...

Drilon to Malacañang:
Support Padaca's Anti-Jueteng Campaign

Instead of requiring her to produce evidence against jueteng operators and their protectors, Malacañang should extend its full support behind the campaign of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca to stop the illegal numbers game in northern Luzon, Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon said today.

Drilon was reacting to a statement made by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who said that Padaca should produce evidence and initiate formal complaints against mayors and other local officials who were allegedly protecting jueteng operators in exchange for a monthly stipend. More...

Tañada on Tuition Freeze:
Why Only State Schools?

Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, (LP, 4th District Quezon) asked why the President only chose to freeze the tuition for public schools but not private schools. The young solon appeared dissatisfied with a mere cap on tuition fee hikes equivalent to the inflation rate that was imposed by the Commission on Higher Education.

“At a time of reeling price increases, parents and students would surely welcome a respite on price increases especially on education as all of us know how much value we place on it,” he said. More...

KALIPI to Formally Re-establish its Chapter in QC

The Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), the youth wing of the Liberal Party, is set to formally re-establish its chapter in Quezon City on Saturday, 21 May 2005, at Something Fishy, Eastwood, Libis, QC.

More than a hundred young leaders from all over the city are expected to converge on Something Fishy to participate in their very first Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD) Seminar. Students from the universities and colleges of the city – including University of the Philippines in Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College in Loyola Heights – along with city SK officials, community youth and even young businessmen are expected to form the bulk of those attending the BOLD. More...

Party Legal Counsel, Dir. Gen., Attend Steering Committee Meeting for 2nd Political Parties Conference

Fmr. Rep. Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Party Legal Counsel, and LP Director General Chit Asis attended a meeting of the Steering Committee of the 2nd National Political Parties Conference. The meeting was convened in order to discuss plans for the holding of the conference and bring together several of the major political parties and party list organizations to discuss pertinent political, economic and social issues and how political parties could address them. More...

Tañada Files Resolution Calling for Investigation of Coco Levy Funds

Citing the exposure of “lavish spending” by Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) top executives, a letter from CIIF employee’s alleging losses of over 70 million pesos from the company and PCGG Commissioner Haydee Yorac’s resignation due to Malacanang pressure, among others, 4th District of Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III recently filed House Resolution No. 793 which calls for an investigation into the current state and use of the said fund. More...

VAT Difficulties a Product of Superficial Discussions - Tañada

Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada III, a young solon from the Liberal Party found himself agreeing to the wisdom of a veteran legislator, Rep. Herminio G. Teves, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means when the elder Teves strongly called on the Department of Finance to immediately prohibit the automatic deduction of exempt and zero-rated sales to immediately raise more than P100 billion in VAT revenue.

“When we were discussing amendments on the VAT law in Congress, what transpired in the Committee discussions revolved around what will be included or excluded in the exemptions list and the particular rate that shall apply. But the two percentage point adjustment from 10% to 12% was rather fait accompli,” Tañada observed. More...

LP Bet Toto Paglas Can Fight Corruption, Bring Economic Dev't to ARMM, Says Drilon

“After decades of conflict, it’s about time that Muslim Mindanao have a political leader who is not only an inter-faith dialogue advocate but also a proven public manager who will bring economic development and foreign investments to the region. He must also have the political will to eradicate corruption and bring about effective and visible governance.”

Thus declared Senate President and Liberal Party (LP) head Franklin Drilon as the reason for the selection of Datu Ibrahim “Toto” Pendatun Paglas III as the gubernatorial candidate for the administration’s LP-K4 coalition in the forthcoming elections of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on August 8 of this year. More...

Tañada Calls for Inquiry of CIIF Board's Spending Habits

Quezon Representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III is set to file a resolution, asking the Committee on Good Government to inquire into the seemingly austentatious use of company funds by the top Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) officials among which are purchases of vehicles, travel privileges for themselves and even their spouses, memberships in golf clubs and the like. This is one of the revelations of recently-resigned PCGG chief Haydee Yorac. More...

Cavite Expansion
500 Join LP in Rosario, Cavite

Five hundred local sectoral leaders from Rosario, Cavite took their oath to the Liberal Party last 27 April 2005 during a mass oathtaking.

The activity, held at the Rosario Elementary School Covered Courts, was organized by LP Cavite Provincial Chairman Gov. Ayong Maliksi as part of his expansion and consolidation efforts in the province. More...

Drilon Bares LP Candidates for ARMM Elections

Senate President and Liberal Party (LP) head Franklin Drilon announced today the candidates of the LP for the elections of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) scheduled on August 8 of this year.

In a statement, Drilon said the LP lineup consisted of a strong combination of veteran local leaders and members of civil society in the Muslim Mindanao region who enjoy the respect and support of the local populace. More...

Rep. Erin Tañada
Favors Wage Hike

Citing the unabated rise in oil prices and its impact on the majority of the Filipino people, Representative Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada, III from the 4th district of Quezon Province called on the Philippine Congress to immediately pass a legislated wage increase to benefit all Filipino workers as a relief against the ravages of the ongoing economic crisis. More...

Antipolo City Goes Liberal
Grandson of VP Pelaez also takes oath

Antipolo City is the latest area to become a Liberal stronghold with the oathtaking of Mayor Angelito Gatbalayan, Vice Mayor Danilo Leyble and practically the whole City Council to the Liberal Party.

Along with Mayor Gatbalayan and Vice Mayor Leyble, Councilors Eufracio Tapales, Bernard Zapanta, Ronald Barcena, Pablo Ordan, Jr., Alexander Marquez and Marino Bacani of the city’s 1st District, and Councilors Lorenzo Zapanta, German Mata, Jesus Huertas, Humberto Bautista, and Nixon Aranas of the 2nd District also took their oath to the LP. More...

ARMM Leaders Become Liberals

Six leaders from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) joined the LP when they took their oath to the Party Thursday, 28 April 2005.

The six were Misuara Ajul-Hassan from Basilan; Suharto Mastura Ambolodto, Tommy Ala and Zainudin Malang from Maguindanao; Paisalin Tago from Lanao del Sur, and; Juliet Tammang from Sulu. More...

LP Expands to CARAGA
New Liberals take oath in Butuan City and Siargao

The Liberal Party continues in its rapid growth with the holding of Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD) seminars in Butuan City and Siargao, Surigao del Norte last 24 and 26 April 2005, respectively.

In the Butuan City activity, some eighty local leaders attended the BOLD. Councilor Jaime Sembrano led the participants and gave the welcome remarks. The Siargao BOLD was attended by more than a hundred local leaders, led by former Governor Matugas. More...

Drilon Urges Regional Wage Boards to Grant Worker's Salary Increase

Senate President and Liberal Party (LP) head Franklin Drilon today called on Regional Wage and Productivity Boards across the country to immediately grant wage increases to allow ordinary wage earners and workers to cope with the increasing cost of living.

In a statement, Drilon said ordinary wage earners should be given salary adjustments to cushion the impact of the recent increases in the prices of basic commodities as a result of the "almost unstoppable" increases in the prices of petroleum products. More...

Pangilinan Supportive of Review of Oil Deregulation Law

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan favors the review of the Oil Regulation Law citing that the present conditions in the oil industry do not show that it is fully deregulated as oil companies continue to operate as a cartel. He also stated that although the law provides safeguards to ensure fair competition, countermeasures against cartels and strict monitoring of oil prices were not enacted effectively. Pangilinan also urged the DOE and the review panel to seriously consider implementation of stricter penalties on violators of the said law. More...

Drilon Tells Musharaff: Support RP Bid for Observer Status in OIC

Senate President and Liberal Party (LP) head Franklin Drilon today urged visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf to support the bid of the Philippines for an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), saying this would contribute significantly to Manila’s efforts to bring permanent peace and prosperity to Mindanao.

Musharraf is scheduled to address a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at the Batasan Pambansa Building in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon. More...

Pangilinan Files Resolution Investigating Alleged Killing of Political Dissidents

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan filed Resolution 224 calling on the Committee on Justice and Human Rights to investigate the alleged escalation of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, illegal arrests and harassment committed against leaders and members of progressive party-lists like Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, and their allied organizations allegedly by military groups.

“Since April 15, 2001 to March 9, 2005 forty eight leaders and members of Bayan Muna were allegedly killed and ten others who had been abducted remained missing,” Pangilinan said. More...

Statement by the Liberal Party on the Removal of Parliamentary Immunity for Cambodian Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy

The Liberal Party of the Philippines would like to express its full support to its sister party in Cambodia, the Sam Rainsy Party, especially in times where the very foundations of freedom and democracy are under threat.

The Liberal Party is deeply concerned by the impunity that characterized the lifting of immunity of Sam Rainsy and two fellow oppositionists. More...

Statement on the Issue of the Chairmanship of ASEAN by Myanmar

As Members of Parliament and on behalf of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats,

We are aware that Myanmar committed to abide by certain principles of democratic governance specified by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as prerequisite of membership in the organisation in 1997;

We recall the resolution on Myanmar passed by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus on the issue of the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 during its conference in Manila on 2 April 2005; More...

Fair Trade Than Aid,
Drilon Tells Rich Nations

Senate President and 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Franklin M. Drilon warned that economic stability and global peace security will be difficult to attain in the 21st century if rich nations will continue to rig the trade game.

Speaking before a gathering of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) and participating IPU parliamentarians belonging to the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), Drilon decried the “utter hypocrisy in wealthy countries that profess undying love for democracy but circumvent global trade rules at the expense of poor and underdeveloped countries. More...

Muggers of IPU Delegate Will be Arrested, Velasco Assures Drilon

Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco, chief of Task Force Parliament, assured Senate President Franklin Drilon that the police will do everything to identify and arrest the two unidentified men who mugged Georges Brion, Deputy Secretary General of the Belgian Senate and a delegate to the IPU assembly in Manila.

“The police are on top of the situation. The delegates to the IPU assembly remain secure, given the security arrangements provided by our police force. This is an isolated incident,” Drilon said. Drilon added Brion, 53, was safe and has been discharged from the hospital. He suffered a minor injury on his arm. More...

Pangilinan Signs MOA with FCCCII, DPWH, and DBM to Build Public Schools in Luzon, Buy School Desks for Visayas, Mindanao

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan signs today a Memorandum of Agreement with the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCII), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), to construct public schools in Luzon & purchase school desks for educational institutions in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

“Imagine a child that would like to study and learn, but has no school to go to. Imagine a child that has a school and teacher to learn from, but no school desk to work on, and instead having to contend with learning from underneath a tree or sitting on the floor and filling up workbooks on a cramped dusty floor. This project is clearly a contribution to fill the void that are classrooms, armchairs and desks. The lack in educational infrastructure, is clearly a factor in the deterioration of the quality of our educational system in the country," Pangilinan stated. More...

More than 100 Liberal and Democratic Parliamentarians Attend LP-CALD IPU Dinner

More than a hundred liberal and democratic parliamentarians from all over the world attended the dinner hosted by the Liberal Party and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) last Saturday, 2 April 2005, at the Century Park Sheraton in Manila.

Among the international leaders present were Alongkorn Panlaboot, MP, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party of Thailand and former Secretary General of CALD; former Cyprus First Lady Androula Vassilou, MP, Vice President of the European Liberals and Democrats Reform Party Group; Trine Skei Grande, MP, Chairperson of the Liberal Parliamentary Group of Norway and representative for Liberal Intrnaional; and Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodian National Opposition and former chairman of CALD. More...

LP Gives Support to Formation of Caucus on Myanmar

The Liberal Party will throw its full support to the launching of the Philippine Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar on Saturday, 2 April 2005.

The LP had earlier spearheaded moves within the House of Representatives to form the Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar, especially after the visit of a delegation from the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) last year. The NCUB is the opposition party of Myanmar that is calling on the ruling military junta to restore democracy in the country. The NCUB is led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. More...