LP to COMELEC: Junk bogus NP-NPC coalition

Even NPC leaders oppose alliance with Villarroyo

The Liberal Party today insisted the Commission on Elections should junk the petition seeking the formal recognition of the phony coalition between the Nacionalista Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

LP Secretary General and Cavite Rep. Joseph E.A. Abaya pointed out that no less than NPC leaders themselves have denied publicly the coalition papers between the two parties signed by NP president Senator Manuel Villar and NPC chairman and former Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr., which they say does not have the support of NPC’s leadership.

The NP submitted to the Comelec documents signed by Dy to prove it has a coalition with NPC in support of its petition to be recognized as the dominant minority party, which is being contested by the Liberal Party.

Abaya noted that Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco confirmed that he and his father, former Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., did not approve the alleged coalition between the NPC and NP.

“Peke talaga itong NP-NPC coalition na ito. Kitang-kita naman natin na pati ang mga lider ng NPC ay itinatatwa itong koalisyong ito(This NP-NPC coalition is a fake. In fact, NPC leaders themselves have denounced this so-called coalition),” Abaya said.

He also noted the statement of former South Cotabato Rep. Lou Antonino that the fake coalition between Villar and NPC President former Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy Jr. had already created problems for local NPC candidates. There are allegedly 239 NPC members at the congressional, provincial and local levels who are being opposed by NP candidates.

Abaya stressed the Liberal Party should be accredited anew as the dominant minority party for this year’s polls for its genuine base support, its sincere concern for the peoples’ welfare and its sheer numbers.

“Patuloy na dumarami ang miyembro ng Liberal Party, kahit ano pa ang gawin ni Villarroyo para buwaging kami, o takutin ang mga miyembro nito. Ang Partido Liberal ang tunay na oposisyon, at ang partidong tunay na lumalaban para sa tuwid at tapat na gobyerno,” he said.

The dominant minority party status is given to the political party that has the most number of incumbent elective officials and the most number of candidates for national and local positions. It is likewise given to the party with the longest public service record and which has the sufficient organizational strength to launch a nationwide campaign.