Liberal Party (LP) bared Friday some key political figures, who will be participating in the 2025 midterm elections, including former Vice President Leni Robredo, who is confirmed to be running for mayor of her hometown in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
LP Executive Vice President Lorenzo Tañada made the announcement during a national executive council meeting of the party held at the Club Filipino in San Juan City.
“In her (mayoralty) run for Naga, we could show that the Liberal Party is not only a national political party, but a local force where genuine change can begin,” Tañada said of Robredo’s decision to return to local politics.
His speech covered the tough setback they encountered in the 2022 elections, but said they look forward to a fresh battle in the upcoming polls.
“Our loss was painful, but we never gave up. Instead, we got ourselves up and continued to organize,” Tañada said.
Former senator Francis Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate, will seek a fresh term in the Senate. He said he will continue to pursue education and agricultural reforms as well as just governance.
“We are still here. We have not been unfazed, we will not back down. We have been through worse. The LP will always be a force to contend with,” Pangilinan said.
Meanwhile, former senator Leila de Lima ultimately made a decision to breathe new life in her disrupted political career, this time representing a party-list organization.
De Lima will seek a congressional seat at the House of Representatives through the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list along with Tañada and former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat.
The new party-list groups to focus on issues related to human rights, justice, democracy, as well as support initiatives aimed at defending our national interests in the West Philippine Sea.
“We stand firm in our belief that Philippine territorial sovereignty is non-negotiable as we will hold accountable any forces that threaten our national security and patrimony,” Tañada said.
Despite its recent setbacks in the past elections, Tañada said the LP maintains a reputable position in Philippine politics.
“We now have 191 chapters and more than 17,000 members. We continue to grow deeply into the grassroots level,” he said.
“In the coming days, we shall build the gains from the last election campaign,” Pangilinan added. He thanked the party for nominating him as he humbly accepts it wholeheartedly.
The LP said they will also adopt former Senator Bam Aquino and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno as guest candidates in their respective senatorial bids. Both figures are reportedly running under Aquino’s Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) party.
