LP leader resigns from party

THE original Liberal Party (LP) leader in Danao City has resigned effective July 3, 2012 because he was left out in major decisions of forging an alliance with Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Barug), a local party of Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

In his resignation letter addressed to LP Cebu provincial chair Hilario Davide III, former Danao City mayor Jesus “Don” Durano said that for the past two weeks, they have been informed, solely through reports in the media, of recent developments involving LP, particularly in Danao City and Cebu’s 5th district.

“As loyal members of the party, we received this news with much surprise and disappointment,” read Don’s letter to Davide.

“We had expected that, on a major decision such as the forging of alliances with local parties, members who have stood by and fought for the party’s principles and candidate in the past elections would have been at least consulted, consistent with the ideals of transparency and democratic governance, which the Liberal Party proudly espouses,” Don further said.

Don said that in the past election, they fought against all odds for the victory of President Benigno Aquino III, believing firmly that his leadership would usher new politics. Unfortunately, the LP Cebu Provincial Chapter’s moves-decided at the top without consultation with those on the ground-have all the familiar signs of old, traditional politics, he said.

Constrained

On the other hand, Nito Durano and Magpale campaigned for then presidential hopeful Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi, the candidate of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“We believe that, in view of the foregoing, our continued membership in the Liberal Party has become untenable. We are constrained, therefore, to submit this irrevocable resignation from the Liberal Party,” Don’s resignation letter read.

When sought to comment, Davide told the media that he was surprised by Don’s decision.

However, he said LP will not prevent him from jumping to another political group.

Don and his ally, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. will jointly announce in public on Friday whom they will support for governor and vice governor in the 2013 elections.

On the other hand, Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia welcomed the pronouncement of Don and Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. that they will join One Cebu.

“We will see what will happen in the next few days,” Rep. Garcia said.

President for all

Garcia, in a press conference, said, “We should be honored that we are visited by the president.”

He said the President of the Philippines is here for the people, his constituents, and not solely for the LP, which the president heads.

“He is supported by a broad coalition of parties,” Garcia said, and which is why he will see his constituents here in Central Visayas.

One Cebu Party’s gubernatorial aspirant also disputed the idea, which LP would like to make it appear, that if you are not LP then you are against the president.

“The president is bigger and beyond party politics,” Garcia said, and that’s why he is here and also to attend to these party activities.

The President will visit Cebu this July 7 to, among other intentions, formalize the Hilario Davide III-Agnes Magpale tandem for governor and vice governor next year.

The President will also attend the birthday celebration of Nito Durano III, Bakud Party chairman.

Garcia said the president won in Cebu because of the outpouring of support of the Cebuanos and the support of a broad coalition here of PDP Laban, National Unity Party, United Nationalist Coalition and a “tiny fraction of LP.”

“It would trivialize the position and the person in the presidency if the LP will put a partisan significance on the issue,” said Garcia.