LP vows ‘not to steal’
By FRANCIS WAKEFIELD
January 26, 2010, 5:30pm

The Liberal Party, which is celebrating its 64th founding anniversary, pledged Tuesday to strictly enforce a strong anti-corruption campaign by committing “not to steal” when their candidates who are running in the May 10 national and local elections are already in office.

Led by presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas, party members signed a “Manifesto of Hope” echoing Aquino’s pledge to clean the government once the LP standard bearer is elected president.

The signing of the manifesto was made during the 64th founding anniversary of the LP, which was held at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, and attended by about 700 LP members comprising of incumbent governors, mayors and vice mayors among others.

Invoking the memory of the late President Corazon Aquino, LP Chairman and former Senate President Franklin Drilon led members and their guests in pledging to enforce the manifesto as part of their commitment to put in place a progressive, free and modern Philippines.

Aquino, Roxas and Drilon spearheaded the signing of the Manifesto of Hope along with LP Secretary General and Cavite Rep. Joseph Abaya, LP treasurer and Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes and LP Director General Jose Luis Martin Gascon.

Others who signed the covenant were members of the LP’s “People Reform” senatorial slate, including Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona Jr., former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Ralph Recto, Sonia Roco of Aksyon Demokratiko, wife of the late Sen. Raul Roco, detained Army Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, lawyer Alex Lacson, Dr. Martin Bautista and women’s rights advocate Yasmin Busra Lao.

The pledge came a day after the nation marked the 77th birthday of Mrs. Aquino.

In his speech, Roxas promised to restore the pride and integrity of the Filipino people and replace the repulsive traditional politics of corruption and abuse of power that for long have stifled the country’s growth and development.

“Hindi po tayo magsisinungaling. Hindi po tayo mandaraya. At hinding-hindi po tayo magnanakaw,” Roxas said.

“We are seeking power not to power’s sake, but so that we may serve the people in the name of honesty, decency, integrity and compassion,” he added.