In simple and frugal ceremonies, the Liberal Party today formally chose Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas as its standard bearers, and declared its senatorial slate in 2010 as part of a broader people’s coalition.
“We undertook our party’s selection process as appropriate: simple, and in accordance to the law. Our people demand a new brand of politics: no pomp and pageantry, no wasteful spending, just straightforward leadership. “Sawa na po ang taumbayan sa pulitika ng pabonggahan at papogian. Hangad nila ay tunay pagbabago (Our people are tired of the politics of cosmetic extravagance. They are hungry for real change),” LP Chairman Frank Drilon said.
“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa aming partido. Ang LP ay bahagi lamang ng mas malawak na kilusan para sa tunay na reporma at pagbabago. Ipaglalaban natin ang Pilipinas na pinapangarap nating lahat (This is not just about our party. For the LP is just part of a broader movement for true reforms and real change. We will fight for a Philippines that we have all been dreaming of),” LP Secretary General and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya stressed.
In compliance with the party’s Constitution, members of the National Executive Council (NECO) and the National Directorate of the LP held a joint meeting at the party headquarters at the Balay in Quezon City, where they formally nominated and unanimously approved Aquino and Roxas as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
They also selected the following party candidates for senator: Drilon, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus “Neric” Acosta and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III. The NECO and National Directorate also authorized the party leadership to complete its senatorial slate and to enter into coalitions that would be beneficial for the party.
LP will be joining a broad people’s coalition of reform-oriented political parties, groups and individuals. The said people’s coalition will announce its complete senatorial slate before the December 1 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacies. The coalition will so far be fielding the four LP candidates, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, former Sen. and Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Ralph Recto, Sonia Roco of Aksyon-Demokratiko, and former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
The LP NECO is composed of all party executives, incumbent senators, congressmen, governors and city mayors, as well as persons of national stature. The LP National Directorate is composed of 100 delegates, 25 each from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region, as elected in four area-wide General Assemblies held prior to the joint meeting today.
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