MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday the celebration of the Liberal Party’s (LP) 66th foundation anniversary, saying he’s a proud member of the party that spearheads reform in the country.
“Sa Liberal Party… hindi natin ipagkakanulo ang ating tungkulin, hindi tayo malilihis ng landas ng prinsipyo, at hindi natin pagtataksilan ang taumbayan,” the President said in his message during the anniversary celebration held at Liberal Party headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.
“Ang boss natin ay ang mamayang Pilipino. Kinikilala natin ang biyayang kaloob nila sa atin. Ang biyaya ng pagkakataong maglingkod sa kanila. Hindi po tayo nakalilimot sa ating sinumpaang tungkulin at tuwid na tuwid po ang takbo ng bangka ng bayan,” he said.
President Aquino said that the country, under a president who is a Liberal Party member, started the New Year with good news as the government inaugurated many businesses and investments that opened more opportunities for Filipinos.
The reforms being initiated by the government started to take effect, according to the President, adding this was good for the country because it increased investors’ confidence in putting their businesses in the Philippines.
The Liberal party membership had been increasing, the President said, noting it was a good development because more sectors in the Philippines would be represented like farmers, urban poor, workers, women and youth.
“Ang Partido Liberal ay hindi isang pulutong ng mga pulitikong bingi sa pagtibok ng puso ng karaniwang tao, isa itong samahan, isa itong pamilya na binubuo ng mga Pilipinong walang ibang nais kundi ang maiangat ang antas ng lipunan sa pamamagitan ng pagtahak ng tuwid na daan,” he said.
“Karangalan ko pong maging kasapi ng isang partidong kumakatawan sa mga adhikain ng mamamayan. Karangalan kong tahakin ang landas ng katuwiran, katarungan at kaunlaran kasama kayo,” he continued.
The Liberal Party was founded on Jan. 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic.
Among the well-known members of the Liberal Party who fought the Marcos dictatorship included Senators Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga. Many of its leaders and members were prosecuted and killed during the Marcos regime.
In 2000, the party stood against the corruption of the Estrada administration and in 2004 it withdrew its support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo following the controversies of the presidential election that year.
Philippine presidents who came from the LP included Elpidio Quirino and Diosdado Macapagal. Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos were also former LP members who later became presidents after leaving the party.
Among the prominent personalities who joined the President during Friday’s event included House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Transportation and Communication Sec. Mar Roxas, Interior and Local Government Sec. Jessie Robredo, Rep. Neil Tupas, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, among others. (PNA)
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