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Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Poll body set to decide on Liberal Party feud
THE question as it which of the two factions of the Liberal Party (LP) would be recognized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and accredited for participation in the 2007 elections would soon be resolved.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said they are now expediting the hearing of the case filed by Senate President Franklin Drilon who was "ousted" as LP president when Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, then chairman of the LP, and his supporters by electing new set of party officers last March 2 at the Manila Hotel.
Abalos said should both parties submit a stipulation of facts on Thursday, the Comelec will then ask them to file their respective memoranda, on which the election body will make its decision.
He said the Supreme Court (SC) had already instructed them to complete the hearing and render their decision before the May 2007 local and congressional elections. He added that with barely 10 months left before next year's elections, the issue must be settled at once since they have to concentrate on preparing for the exercise.
Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez, on the other hand, explained that since both parties were able to identify the issues involved, it would no longer be difficult for the commission to rule on the matter.
Jimenez said there is a need now to determine what was the basis of the Atienza group in calling for the election of new LP officers and if it’s ascertained, then the Comelec would be able to establish the grounds in drafting a resolution.
Drilon filed a petition before the Comelec to bar Atienza and his supporters from representing themselves as the new officers of the party. He said Atienza's action was illegal and a grave violation of LP rules.
However, Atienza argued that the election was conducted because the Senate President no longer represented the voice of the majority after cutting ties with the Arroyo administration and called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign for allegedly cheating her way to victory in the 2004 elections. (MSN/Sunnex)
(June 6, 2006 issue)
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