Press Release
09 November 2013
Refer to: Jeeno C. Arellano
(0905.302.5098)
Drilon to
international parliamentarian: There are other things more important than becoming
the party in power
The successful
resolution of the pork barrel controversy, which would mean punishing and
jailing the guilty of misusing government funds, will strengthen the Aquino
administration’s pursuit for anti-corruption and good governance reforms,
Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today, addressing the 120
international parliamentarians at the 20th anniversary of the
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) held in the Manila Hotel.
In his speech, Drilon
explained briefly the pork barrel controversy that was hounding the Philippine
Congress before international liberals including prominent personalities such
as Hon. Sam Rainsy, a Cambodian opposition leader; Hon. Graham Watson, a member
of European Parliament; Dr. Rainer Adam, regional director for Friedrich
Naumann Foundation for Freedom; Hon. Hans van Baalen, member of European
Parliament, the Neatherlands; Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya;
Liberal Party Secretary-General Mel Sarmiento; and LP spokesperson Erin Tanda,
among others.
“This might be a
painful politically cleansing process, but we are confident that when the
judicial process is completed, and the guilty is punished, the platform of good
governance upon which the Aquino Administration stands, will have a stronger
foundation,” said Drilon.
“The Aquino
government is getting intense public beating because of the alleged misuse of
government resources earmarked in the national budget by some legislators to
fund preferred projects and programs,” he pointed out.
“The Aquino
government will not spare anyone who will be proven guilty from accountability
and punishment,” the Senate chief stressed.
The CALD is an
organization of liberal democrats in Asia that has been in the forefront in the
struggle for democracy and freedom in authoritarian regimes in the Asian
region. It was inaugurated in Bangkok, Thailand in 1993, with the support of
then Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and South Korea’s Kim Dae-Jung. CALD is
the only regional alliance of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia.
Drilon shared that
bad governance – the root of all economic ills – can be squarely addressed only
in a democracy, because of the presence of institutions and legal environment
that make governments and public officials accountable.
“Democracy is a
continuing struggle. For as long as we remain steadfast in our convictions and
principles, we will prevail,” he underlined.
He noted that some
countries in Asia suffered severe political persecution and oppression in
fighting for democracy as political patronage, populism and dogmatism continue
to hound otherwise stable democracies such as the Philippines, Thailand and
Taiwan.
Drilon encouraged the
delegates to remain optimistic. “We must not lose hope. We look forward to the
day when Aung San Suu Kyi becomes the first democratically elected president of
Myanmar after decades of military rule. And, we will all be there cheering and
proud, when our CALD Chair, Sam Rainsy, is elected as Prime Minister of Cambodia,”
said Drilon.
He however reminded
his fellow parliamentarians of other more important matters than becoming the
party in power. “Our core liberal values, among them the protection of the
rights of every individual, the rule of law, good governance --these are what
defines us. In times of struggles, these are what keep us going. In times of
victory, these become our moral compass,” stressed Drilon.
“Political parties
are the heart and soul of a democracy. We, liberals, should be at the forefront
of political party reform. We must reach out to our constituents. We must
remain inclusive and consultative. A political party that does not practice
internal democracy, can never be expected to rule democratically,” he added.
-end-
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