Pro-Arroyo LP members stage coup, sack Drilon

Allies of President Arroyo in the Liberal Party on Thursday staged a virtual coup d’etat and ousted Senate President Franklin Drilon as party leader. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, chairman of the party’s national executive council, assumed the presidency. Atienza and his allies succeeded in passing a resolution making declaring all LP seats vacant. During the ensuing election, Atienza was voted party president. Presidential chief of Staff Michael Defensor was elected party chairman. Drilon said the meeting that the pro-Arroyo LP members held violated party rules. Drilon cited Article 8, Section 8 of the LP Constitution that says "only the party president, or his duly-designated representative, can call for a national party convention or convene the LP National Executive Council (NECO)." Reports said only 32 out of the 103 NECO members were present during the meeting Thursday. LP stalwart Antonio Nachura, Mrs. Arroyo’s chief presidential legal counsel, said those present in the meeting "constitute the great majority of party members." Reports said 500 people attended the meeting, but Drilon said 90 percent of those present were barangay (village) officials from Manila. Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said Atienza’s action was part of a Malacañang plan to cripple the political opposition. "(It's) another tactical move of the administration to destroy a political party that is critical to[Mrs. Arroyo]'s administration," Aquino said. Aquino, son of former president Corazon Aquino is former secretary general of LP. Palace officials, however denied accusations that Malacañang was behind the ouster Drilon. "[What happened] was an internal matter of the LP," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said. ARROYO-LP PARTNERSHIP Mrs. Arroyo inducted later Thursday the newly- elected officials of the party. She also congratulated Defensor for his victory. She said the new LP chairman is now "nestled" in Malacañang. President Arroyo is honorary chairperson of the party. "The challenge is given and the answer is yes, we will work for the stability of the nation," Atienza said after he was elected party president. Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. was elected party vice-chairman while Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson was elected executive vice-president. Others who were elected include Quirino Rep. Junie Cua, vice-president for external affairs; Northern Samar Rep. Harlene Abayon, VP for policy, platform and advocacy; Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, VP for Luzon; Antique Governor Salvacion Saldivar-Perez, VP for Visayas; Malabon-Navotas Rep. Ricky Sandoval II, VP for the National Capital Region; and Laguna 3rd District Rep. Danton Bueser, VP for sectors. Nachura was elected LP secretary-general; Ambassador to Greece Rigoberto Tiglao as deputy secretary general; Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, treasurer; Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, deputy treasurer; Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, party legal counsel; Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, party spokesperson; Manila 3rd District Rep. Miles Andrew Roces, party deputy spokesperson; Eleazar Quinto, director general; and Batanes Governor Vicente Gato, chairperson for the Council of Local Chief Executives. The LP, through Atienza, earlier handed to the President a resolution expressing the party’s "unequivocal support to the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the rule of law, and the duly elected officials of the government." "Resolved finally, that the Liberal Party declares its support to President Arroyo and her administration," said Atienza, who read the resolution. The president congratulated the newly elected LP officials and thanked them for expressing their support. "Kaya tuloy-tuloy and ating partnership, ang ating makabuluhang alyansa, sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa at sambayanang Pilipino (Our partnership and worthy alliance will continue for the welfare of our country and the Filipino people)," the President said. – GMANews.TV