Members of the Liberal Party belonging to Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza?s wing criticized the holding of a democracy forum and rally in Manila led by the faction belonging to former Senator Franklin Drilon and Senator Mar Roxas today.

?We find it strange that they could so blatantly hold a democracy forum yet continue with their policy of suppressing the democratic rights of party members with their refusal to convene a national convention of all Liberals nationwide,? said Environment Undersecretary Eli Quinto, the LP?s longest-serving director general and founder of its youth wing.

?We didn?t expect much from Drilon, but we were hoping that Mar Roxas, as heir to his grandfather?s and father?s legacy of upholding liberal and democratic ideals, would do the right thing,? Quinto said. ?With this activity, Senator Roxas is showing his true colors and widening the rift within the party.?

Quinto also questioned the holding of a rally on Plaza Miranda without even inviting Atienza, who served three consecutive terms as the city?s mayor. Atienza is one of the few remaining survivors of the Plaza Miranda Bombing of 1971. ?If any Liberal has a right to be on Plaza Miranda, it would be him, and certainly not some Johnny-come-lately,? Quintos aid.

Quinto asked whether the Drilon-Roxas faction has changed the LP?s anniversary to Jan. 30 (the LP was founded on Jan. 19, 1946). ?This is the second year that their group has held the celebration of the LP?s founding 11 days after its historical date. You have to wonder whether that date sacred to the Philippine Liberal Movement has also lost its meaning other than as a reaction tool by the Drilon-Roxas faction.?

The Liberal Party, the country?s second-oldest political party, split on July 8, 2005 during a controversial meeting at Club Filipino where Drilon, then party president, led about a dozen Liberals in calling for the removal of President Arroyo from power. The call was contested by then-party chairman Lito Atienza, who was backed by the majority of the LP?s local officials and congressmen, claiming that the decision was railroaded and did not go through the party?s decision-making process. The party has remained split since then.

The Atienza Liberals also reiterated their call for a national convention of all party members to choose a common leader. ?For a long time now, we have been calling on Drilon to do the right thing and call for a national convention,? said Councilor Letlet Zarcal, LP Leader of the Manila City Council. ?Allowing our members to choose who would lead them, and who to support in next year?s elections means we as Liberals not only mean business but will show we put our money where our mouth is.?

?What?s the point in holding a forum with the word ?democracy? in it when one suppresses the most fundamental aspect of democracy?? Zarcal said. ?It is all just smoke and mirrors to make them look and sound good when they?ve been dealing with us in bad faith since July 8, 2005.?