LIBERAL PARTY TO EXPEL MEMBERS FOUND GUILTY OF CORRUPTION – PANGILINAN

THE Liberal Party (LP) on Friday announced that it will expel any of its members proven guilty of corruption.

“Maglilinis tayo ng ating hanay. Patatalsikin natin ang sinumang miyembro — gaano man kataas ang katungkulan o kalakas — na matuklasang nakinabang sa pandarambong o lumahok sa katiwalian,” said Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan during the fellowship “Kung Walang Korap, Walang Mahirap: A Fellowship on Integrity, Accountability, and the Continuing Fight for Good Governance.”

Pangilinan, who also officiated the oath-taking of new members, said the cleansing must begin with transparency.

“Higit pa riyan: Lahat ng opisyal ng Liberal Party, mula sa pinakamataas hanggang sa pinakamababa, ay ilalabas sa publiko ang kanilang Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth,” he added.

As a show of good faith, Pangilinan and Representative Leila De Lima of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist voluntarily released their own SALNs during the fellowship, an act meant to set the tone for accountability and challenge other public officials to follow suit.

De Lima underscored that liberal democrats worldwide share the same values of human rights, accountability, and good governance.

“From Manila to Taipei, from Warsaw to Seoul, we share one conviction: Power gains legitimacy only when it serves the people,” she said.

She also lauded the resurgence of public outrage over corruption. “The recent wave of anti-corruption protests proves that the Filipino conscience is alive. Students, workers, and ordinary citizens are filling the streets to demand honesty. They are not enemies of the government–they are guardians of democracy,” she said.

The fellowship, organized by LP and ML, also paid tribute to the reform legacy of President Benigno S. “Noynoy” Aquino III and served as a rallying call to reclaim government from greed and impunity.

Performances by stand-up comic Red Ollero and singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon energized the event, while young democracy advocates Kiko Aquino Dee, Dino De Leon, and Jules Guiang urged organized participation in the growing anti-corruption movement.

LP Secretary General Kit Belmonte said the Party, which turns 80 in January, remains committed to reform despite past missteps.

“Galit na ang Pilipino. Sumobra na ang kurakot,” Belmonte said.

“Ipaglaban natin ang ating mga kababayan. Magpalawak at magpalalim tayo,” he added.