The Liberal Party further strengthened its preparations for the 2010 national elections as it swore in today new members known for their clean record as elected public officials, continuing an exodus to its fold of proponents of good governance pushed by LP standard bearers Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas.
The new LP members who joined the LP were led by former Senator Jose “Joey” Lina, Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Gingoog. Misamis Oriental Mayor Ruthie Guingona, Pasay City Vice Mayor Antonio Calixto and former Laguna Vice Governor Edwin Olivares.
Lina served as President Arroyo’s secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government until his resignation in 2004 and was also governor of Laguna province. Panlilio has been an active proponent of reforms and good governance as governor of President Arroyo’s home province.
Guingona, on the other hand, is wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who has led opposition to Mrs. Arroyo particularly after the “Hello Garci” incident that exposed widespread cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.
Calixto is a new Lakas-Kampi member, having been sworn in only last February. Olivares ran for the gubernatorial post of Laguna during the 2007 elections under the banner of the United Opposition.
“Malaking karangalan sa Partido Liberal ang pagsanib ng ating mga bagong miyembro. Pagpapatunay lamang ito ng patuloy na lumalaking puwersa ng ating mga kababayan na nagnanais ng tapat, malinis at matuwid na pamumuno,” said Roxas, president of the Liberal Party.
LP standard-bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino said: "Sama-sama nating lalabanan ang patuloy na paglapastangan ng administrasyong ito sa ating bansa. Masyadong matagal na nating pinagbigyan ang administrasyong ito. Pinahiram lang sila ng podre, akala nila kanila ito.”
Just last week, Pangasinan Rep. Victor Agbayani, North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo Piñol, Jr., Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza of Pangasinan and 125 other local officials from different parts of the country today took their oaths as new Liberals.
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