Drilon: Akbayan remains ally despite member’s withdrawal of support

MANILA, Philippines—Akbayan party-list group remains an administration ally despite a member’s withdrawal of support from President Benigno Aquino III, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday.

Drilon, vice chair of Liberal Party, said the administration’s alliance is with Akbayan and not with Rep. Walden Bello, who was vocal in criticizing the President’s handling of the botched Mamasapano operation.

“Si Rep. Walden Bello, siya po ay sa Akbayan, at ang aming alliance is with Akbayan. He is the party-list representative, but the matter of alliance is with the party, and not with him, personally,” Drilon said in an interview at the Senate.

“He is free to criticize. But the matter, whether or not his party will continue with him as a representative of the party in the House, is a matter to be decided by the party. But insofar as Akbayan is concerned, they remain to be an ally of the administration. The Akbayan remains to be an ally of the administration,” he said.

Bello announced that he has resigned from his post as Akbayan representative but he would remain as a member of the group.

READ: Bello resigns as Akbayan representative, calls Aquino disgraceful

Asked if it would be a loss if Bello’s group severs its ties with the administration, Drilon said: “In the first place, I don’t think Akbayan will sever their ties with the LP. Akbayan is a valued ally of the Liberal Party.”

Bello said he was withdrawing his support from the President “because I cannot support a man whose behavior is a disgrace to the presidency.”

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