Edgar Erice leaves Liberal Party in favor of Aksyon Demokratiko

After 18 years, Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice on Monday decided to leave the Liberal Party as he transfers to the Aksyon Demokratiko.

Erice said he took his oath Monday morning as the newest member of the Aksyon Demokratiko, which is being led by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as its president.

Erice said he decided to transfer to Aksyon Demokratiko as the present situation being faced by the public, especially his constituents in Caloocan City, needs "extraordinary actions."

"Pinag-isipan kong mabuti at kinausap ko lahat 'yung mga kapartido ko lalo na 'yung mga leader ng partido. Labing-walong taon akong naging tapat at aktibong naging kasapi ng Liberal party, malaki ang pagkakautang na loob ko sa partidong ito at 'yung mga pinakamalalapit kong kaibigan ay kasama ko sa partidong ito," Erice said in an interview on Dobol B sa TV.

(I thought about this carefully and I talked to my partymates and leaders of the party. I had been an honest and active member of Liberal Party for 18 years, I have a huge debt of gratitude to the party and my closest friends are also my partymates.)

"Subalit, ngayon ay extraordinary times at kinakailangan natin ng mga extraordinary actions na ito ay palagay ko para sa ating bansa, para sa ating mamamayan, para sa minamahal kong lungsod ng Caloocan," he added.

(But with the extraordinary times, we need extraordinary actions that will be good for the country, the people, and my constituents in Caloocan City.)

Erice believes that the Liberal Party and the Aksyon Demokratiko have the same principles and stand on certain issues.

"May kanya-kanya tayong nakikita, may kanya-kanya tayong paninindigan. 'Yung Aksyon Demokratiko pagka titingnan mo naman 'yung prinsipyo at paninindigan, very similar 'yung Liberal Party at Aksyon Demokratiko," he said.

(We have different visions, different stand. But if you will look at the principles and stand of Aksyon Demoktratiko, you will see that these are very similar with Liberal Party.)

"Ano 'to eh, sister party 'to at hindi naman ako lumipat sa malaking partido. Sa pagkakataong ito, ako ay magiging kauna-unahang miyembro ng Kongreso na miyembro ng Aksyon Demokratiko," he added.

(This is a sister party and I did not transfer to a big party. This time, I will be the first member of the House of Representatives that will become part of Aksyon Demokratiko.)

Erice previously said he would run for mayor of Caloocan in the coming elections.

In his speech, Erice said he sees how Moreno has taken care of the welfare and provided the needs of residents in the City of Manila.

"Nakita ka namin Mayor Isko at sa palagay namin, ikaw na. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang desisyon mo sa Oktubre. Subalit naniniwala ako, naniniwala kami na hindi mo bibiguin ang tinig ng bayan," he said.

(We see you Mayor Isko and we believe that you are the right choice. I do not know what will be your decision come October but I, we believe that you will not fail the call of the people.)

Moreno, for his part, said he is grateful for the new members and that he is honored to lead the party.

"Basta ako I can work with anybody with all honesty. Because this is the only key to our success fighting this situation under the pandemic situation," he said.

"Kailangan 'yung iba’t ibang uri ng kasapian o partido, iba-iba man 'yung ibang pananaw namin dapat meron kaming commonality, which is about tungkol sa kalalagayan ng tao," he added.

(Eventhough we belong to different parties, have different views, we should have a commonality which is about the welfare of the people.)

Meanwhile, Erice did not give further details when asked if other members of the LP would also transfer to Aksyon Demokratiko. But, he confirmed that there have been talks between Moreno and Vice President Leni Robredo.

"Inisip not necessary naman na lilipat eh. Ang alam ko patuloy ang pag-uusap ni Mayor Isko, ni VP Leni. Patuloy ang pag-uusap nila. Kung sa akin, ang feeling ko lang tulungan..." Erice said.

(Not necessarily transfer but I know that the talks between Mayor Isko and VP Leni are ongoing. I believe that they are trying to help each other.)—AOL, GMA News