LP members hold meet, but stay mum on FVR-Drilon meeting

Senate President Franklin Drilon presided over a meeting of the Liberal Party (LP) yesterday but his recent meeting with former President Fidel Ramos and opposition leader Vicente Sotto III was not the major topic of discussion.

Drilon, the LP president, met with Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, former education secretary Florencio Abad and Tarlac Rep. Benigno Aquino Jr.

They met at Drilon’s office at the Senate, shying away from reporters seeking comment on the meeting.

Members of Drilon’s staff said Drilon and his party mates discussed preparations for the party’s upcoming 60th anniversary.

"The three-day celebration is a combination of looking back on the history and milestones of the Liberal Party in the past 60 years, celebrating its recent successes in rebuilding the party and reaffirming its vision of establishing a vibrant and progressive liberal democracy in the Philippines," Drilon said in a statement issued by his office to the media.

Drilon remained mum about his Jan. 2 meeting with Ramos and Sotto, which had sparked rumors of a falling out between Ramos and President Arroyo.

Ramos said Drilon and Sotto tried to convince him to switch sides and join their ongoing campaign to force Mrs. Arroyo from office over allegations of vote-rigging in the 2004 presidential election.

In July, Drilon led several party members in withdrawing support from Mrs. Arroyo following her admission that she spoke with an election official during the presidential vote count. She, however, denies cheating in the polls.

However, other party members led by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza complained that Drilon did not consult with them and that the party remained supportive of Mrs. Arroyo.

Earlier in the day, Pangilinan, the party’s vice chairman, was also mum about Drilon’s meeting with Ramos and Sotto.

"I trust Senate President Drilon that he would have immediately informed the members of the party (if it was necessary). So I am assuming that he didn’t call for us because it wasn’t very important, at least as far as the party is concerned," Pangilinan said.

The LP anniversary celebration will start with Asian Regional Conference on Liberalism and Democracy in Asia to be held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City on Thursday.

The nationwide activities will culminate with a testimonial luncheon in honor of former Senate president Jovito Salonga, chairman emeritus of the party, on Jan. 21.