LP torn by dissension, desertions in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY—The ruling Liberal Party (LP) has been wracked by dissension and desertions in Iloilo after party leaders decided to field LP rivals as candidates in next year’s elections.

“There’s a big upheaval in the party,” said Provincial Board Member Gerardo Flores, LP provincial secretary general and head in the first congressional district.

Flores left the LP and joined the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) after party leaders accepted as members politicians identified with the administration of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

On Thursday, LP officials led by Sen. Franklin Drilon, the party’s vice chair, said they would support incumbent Gov. Arthur Defensor in his reelection bid. Drilon also announced that Defensor and members of the Garin clan had been accepted into the party.

“We feel deceived because they told us to hold a convention (but) the result of the convention was never respected,” Flores told the Inquirer.

Flores, whose family has long contested the political dominance of the Garins in their district, said party members and local leaders were never privy to the agreement and were not consulted. He said the Garins had taken over the LP in the district and refused to grant them certificates of nominations for their candidacy.

Flores is running for mayor of Miag-ao town while his wife Julieta, the incumbent mayor, will run for congressional representative against Vice Gov. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr.

Just days before Drilon’s announcement, some 1,000 LP leaders and members in Iloilo unanimously nominated former Gov. Niel Tupas, LP provincial chair, as gubernatorial candidate. Many supporters of Tupas have left the party and joined the UNA, according to Flores.

“It was a decision from Malacañang—from (Interior Secretary Manuel) Mar Roxas,” he said.

The LP will field Tupas, a party member for 47 years, as candidate for representative of the fourth district as agreed upon by Defensor, Tupas and former congressman and family patriarch, Oscar Garin. Tupas’ son, Raul, will be the party’s vice gubernatorial candidate.

The LP will also support the Garins and the reelection bid of Rep. Arthur Defensor in the third district.