LP political rejects went to NP–Aquino

Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Thursday said the LP had rejected some political heavyweights who wanted to join the party and that these politicians eventually ended up with the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Aquino also said that he, unlike the leadership in the NP, could not accept just anyone because his political coalition had “purists” who would reject “undesirables” from the administration camp.

“The other camp seems to accept everyone. For us, even before we have talks, we do an analysis to see if (the prospective political recruit) would be of help or not. Will it be detrimental or not?” Aquino said in a press conference.

“Don’t forget that we are a people’s campaign and we have many partners,” he said. “So, we really try to make sure that (the recruit) would be acceptable to all the groups in our coalition.”

He said that the LP had rejected politicians as influential as Albay Governor Joey Salceda, the economic adviser of President Macapagal-Arroyo. He declined to name the politicians.

But NP senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla disputed Aquino’s contention, saying: “They are not rejects, but respectable leaders of their respective localities.”

Remulla was referring to Surigao del Norte Governor Ace Barbers, Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas “Dodo” Cagas, Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, Camarines Norte Gov. Jesus “Atoy” Typoco and Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapudin.

“The so-called rejects that Noynoy branded are the people who truly worked for the improvement of the people’s lives,” said Remulla, spokesperson of NP, in a phone interview.

Remulla then asked Aquino why he had accepted in his camp the “architects of poverty in the Philippines.”

Remulla was referring to the economic team of the President that was now under Aquino’s wing, comprising of Salceda, former Sen. Ralph Recto, the chief architect of the 12-percent expanded value-added tax which led to higher costs of products and services, former Arroyo Trade and Industries Secretaries Cesar Purisima and Sen. Mar Roxas II, who are LP members.

“What could we expect now under the Aquino administration? Under this economic team of Gloria, we experienced the highest self-rated poverty in the country and the highest unemployment rate,” said Remulla.

He said the “Hyatt 10” group of former Cabinet members who were now in LP were also behind Ms Arroyo’s program, like the controversial Peace Bonds of CODE-NGO. (inquirer.net)

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