LIBERAL Party (LP) standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino on Monday denied Senator Manny Villar's accusation that LP senators leaked the C-5 extension financial report, which is supposed to be confidential.
The Liberal Party senatorial slate has a new campaign manager in Senator Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan (right). (Sunnex/Angela Casauay)
The LP leaders criticized Villar over his continuous refusal to face the hearing of the C-5 extension anomaly in the Senate.
Aquino made a V-shaped hand gesture using his thumb and index finger during his speech, which he said should be “corrected” by twisting his hand to form an L, which stands for "laban" (fight) – his mother’s trademark gesture.
The V-shaped hand gesture is the trademark of Villar, who is trailing behind Aquino in surveys.
Aquino also addressed the result of the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which showed that his lead over Villar has been reduced to 11 percent from 19 percent.
“Meron ho kasi tayong katunggali, nag-iilusyon na lumalapit na raw siya. Ang totoo, lumalapit sila dahil ang mga campaign workers niya lumalapit sa atin. Tinatanong, pwede po bang magpapapicture? (We have an opponent, who is having an illusion that he is inching closer. The truth is, they are really coming closer because their campaign workers approach us to ask, ‘Can we take a picture with you’)," Aquino said.
Roxas, on the other hand, asked local and national party-mates to say “check or no check” if the politician he was referring to was the senator who pushed for the construction of the C-5 extension, if he owned the company who owns all the lands, and if he has faced all the allegations.
Aquino though refused to answer a radio report that said Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile was approached by Villar to ask him to stop the release of the committee report in return for Villar's backing of Enrile's re-election.
“We will not comment until we hear it from the people involved,” he said.
Senatoriable Franklin Drilon, LP Chairman, hoped that the allegation is not true.
“This is a very serious charge of attempting to bribe no less than the number 3 man of this country,” he said.
Liberal Party candidates signed the Manipesto ng Pagasa (Manifesto of Hope). (Sunnex/Angela Casauay)
As a celebration of the LP's 64th anniversary, Aquino and Roxas, along with the 12 Senatorial bets, signed a Manipesto ng Pagasa (Manifesto of Hope).
“Sumusumpa kami na HINDING-HINDI KAMI MAGNANAKAW (We are pledging the we will not steal),” part of it read.
Senatorial candidates each took their part in presenting the history of the LP.
The party also introduced Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as its senatorial slate's new campaign manager.
The mnemonic device for the LP senatorial bets goes by SLAMAT LORRRD for teacher Sonia Roco, General Danny Lim, published author Alex Lacson, Dr. Martin Bautista, environmentalist Neric Acosta, Bukidnon Representative TG Guingona, Muslim activist Yasmin Busran-Lao, Serge Osmeña III, Ruffy Biazon, Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Ralph Recto, and Senator Frank Drilon. (Angela Casauay/Sunnex)