The once ruling party in the country, Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), has a elected Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman as its new president, succeeding former Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who has assumed the position of party chairman.
Lagman formally became the party's president during the LP's national executive council meeting on Friday, Sept. 30.
In his acceptance speech, the newly-elected party president declared that the once ruling party in the country will make its return, saying "hiatus is not an option."
"We look forward to the 2025 mid-term elections and beyond. Babalik tayo (We will come back)," the lawmaker said.
"As your President, I am not ready to incant the requiem of the Liberal Party. I assume the presidency to lift up the Liberal Party from the ashes of the May 2022 elections," he declared.
The opposition lawmaker pledged to lead the LP with principled activism.
Despite their lean numbers, Lagman said they shall strive to be "even more relevant" especially in the current administration, which, he said, "is led by the antithesis of democratic principles, integrity in public service, good governance and accountability – the very principles upon which the Liberal Party is anchored."
"With the myriad challenges faced by the Liberal Party today, hiatus is not an option. In fact, now is the time to perpetuate the legacies of LP. We may be small in numbers now but we are far from insignificant. For what we lack in numbers we compensate with the unquestionable quality and excellence of our members," Lagman said.
There are 421 members of the LP who won in the May 2022 local and national elections. These include 10 congressmen, one Governor, four vice governors, 26 board members, 32 mayors, 36 vice mayors, and 312 councilors.
The Bicol solon underscored his plans for the LP to continue to be relevant and expand its ranks by uniting and strengthening the crusade for sound, effective, and just governance; intensifying recruitment activities; remaining at the forefront in fighting against oppression, repression, and tyranny; encouraging and developing popular volunteerism; and welcoming the membership of kindred political leaders and being open to alliances with groups and parties with the same ideals, convictions, and objectives.
Lagman has been elected Representative of Albay’s First District for a record nine congressional terms.
By 2025, he would be one of the country’s longest serving legislators having been being a member of the House of Representatives for 29 years.
The party’s National Executive Council (NECO) also elected Rep. Kit Belmonte as Vice Chairman, Rep. Erin Tañada as Executive Vice President, Rep. Teddy Baguilat as Secretary General, and Rep. Alfonso “Boy”Umali as Treasurer.
Iloilo Provincial Board Member Jason Gonzalez is retained as Director General.
New chairman succeeded former vice president Leni Robredo.