Letter to the Editor - LP on the brink of a breakup?

The Liberal Party has been in existence for 50 years. As the oldest existing political party, it has made landmark legislations in both lower and upper house.

The installation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the Presidency saw the vigorous involvement of LP stalwarts in the administration cabinet. Mike Defensor was tasked to get into the environmental affairs, Florencio Abad for the education, and Rene Villa for the Agrarian Reform. Let us not also forget Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP's current president, the vigorous mayor of Manila, Lito Atienza, Senators Mar Roxas and Kiko Pangilinan, who belong to the administration block in the Senate.

Recently, Senate President Franklin Drilon withdrew his support from PGMA. Sec. Florencio Abad of the education department also deserted his post together with other department secretaries (though not part of the LP) and called on the President to tender her resignation. Rumors have spread like wildfire that Drilon's reposition is but a move to propel his personal interest. If PGMA resigns, Vice-President Noli de Castro automatically becomes the President, and he, Drilon, then becomes VP of the country.

However, Mayor Lito Atienza, LP's national chairman said that Drilon's withdrawal of support to the administration does not concur to the national party leadership. He added that some of the national party leaders were not consulted on the matter. This has caused a rift on the LP national leadership. The Drilon faction is composed of Chito Gascon, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Florencio Abad. On the other hand, the Atienza group is comprised of Mar Roxas and Mike Defensor. Kiko Pangilinan however has been silent on the issue. Atienza further said that local LP chapters were not consulted on the issue.

Was there any miscommunication, misinterpretation or misrepresentation on the part of the Liberal Party leadership? Liberal party bigwigs should talk this over and settle the issue once and for all. The split among its leadership is causing the party's breakup among its members also. I look up to the Liberal Party as the model political party that has a clearer vision and mission because of the breed of leaders it has produced for many decades. Many idealistic individuals want to belong to a political party that has qualities and must stand for something. The political party has an identity, a sense of self. This was what the Liberal Party had to offer.

But the recent rift among its party members has been a big factor in the party losing its credibility. Just like what columnist Manuel L. Quezon III puts it, factions dominate our history. Factions during the propaganda movement up to the democratic opponents of Marcos; factions within the Communist Party; factions during the EDSA Dos. Factions yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Jesson Jumao-as Morata
MBEAB Lapu-Lapu City