LP picks historic Plaza Miranda for proclamation rally

MANILA, Philippines — The Liberal Party is sticking to historical Plaza Miranda for its proclamation rally on February 12 which it considers to be the party’s opening salvo for the midterm polls this year.

LP secretary general and Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento said Plaza Miranda held many memories for the ruling party which was why they chose it as their venue for their proclamation rally.

“Yung pinaka-opening salvo ng Liberal Party sa mga kakandidato sa Senado ay gagawin sa Plaza Miranda sa unang araw ng pangangampanya at four in the afternoon. Plaza Miranda ang pinili dahil puno ng storya ang Liberal Party, lalung-lalo na nung 1971,” he told reporters.

(The opening salvo of the Liberal Party for its senatorial candidates will be held at the Plaza Miranda on the first day of the campaign period at four in the afternoon. We picked Plaza Miranda because of its historic value to LP, especially in 1971.)

On August 21, 1971, the LP proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda was bombed, killing several people and almost wiping out the LP leadership.

“Plaza Miranda is very important to the party,” said the LP official.

He said that President Benigno Aquino III, who leads the LP, will be present during the rally to endorse their 12 candidates for the senatorial race.

Asked whether Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Loren Legarda, and former MTRCB chief Grace Poe-Llamanzares have confirmed their attendance to the rally, Sarmiento said “lahat pupunta. Sa pagkakaalam po natin, lahat (all will attend. To our knowledge all candidates will show up)”

“Hindi siguro wise sa isang kandidato na hindi ka sisipot dun sa opening salvo at ma-endorse ng Pangulo ang isang kandidato (It’s not wise for a candidate to miss the opening salvo and the endorsement of the President),” he said.