LP to reunify ranks to push Mar’s 2010 bid

The Liberal Party (LP) will hold its national directorate meeting tomorrow to reunite its various factions and rally behind Sen. Mar Roxas, who will be its standard bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.

“Senator Roxas will be the unifying factor of the party,” former Senate president Franklin Drilon, the outgoing party president, said at the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

He said the LP secretariat has invited members of the breakaway group led Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza.

Drilon said the invitation was sent directly to former Manila congressman Miles Roces, a leader of the Atienza faction.

The LP was divided in 2005 after Drilon called for the resignation of President Arroyo during attempts to impeach her for allegedly rigging the 2001 presidential polls.

Atienza’s group, however, supported the President and challenged Drilon’s leadership that led to the election of new party officers led by Atienza on March 2 last year.

Drilon said the Supreme Court ruled with finality last June 5 that the current set of officers led by himself as president is the legitimate group, and that the 2006 election of officers initiated by the Atienza wing was invalid.

Drilon said part of the political battle plan of the reunited party is the “Balik Liberal” campaign to rekindle the political glory of LP, which was the ruling political party during the administrations of Presidents Elpidio Quirino, Manuel Roxas Sr., and Diosdado Macapagal.

“LP is now considered the alternative political party that may lead this nation in 2010,” Drilon said.

He said the party has passed the tests of political principles and values, organizational resilience, political commitment and party consolidation in the past three years.

Drilon said they are open to a coalition with other political parties, including the United Opposition headed by former President Estrada, to improve their political agenda for the 2010 presidential polls.

“We are open to coalition but not merger,” he said.

The party has crafted a seven-point agenda to win the hearts and mind of the people in the 2010 elections that includes legislation to exempt minimum wage earners from paying income tax, better education for the youth, genuine social reform, economic partnership with social justice, peace and order, soldiers with dignity and honor, and finally, economic freedom for farmers.