Biazon in search for new party after leaving LDP

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon filed an "indefinite leave of absence" yesterday from the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), saying he is looking for other political parties "with less adversarial, confrontational and vindictive" approach to governance.

In a letter to LDP president Sen. Edgardo Angara, Biazon said "circumstances and conditions have made it necessary for me to make this decision."

"After going through careful consideration and thoughtful meditation, I have come to a decision to go on leave of absence from the (LDP) effective immediately. Having matured in politics under the wings of the LDP since my entry into the political arena in 1993, I am thankful for the opportunities, working relationships and shared vision for the country that the party has afforded me," his letter to Angara read.

Biazon said he will still run for senator next year as an independent, but he added that he will not hesitate to transfer to another political party if its principles will jibe with his vision of governance.

"I want to see other political parties with less adversarial, confrontational and vindictive approach to governance," he said.

Biazon said he was dismayed by the fact that "until now, nobody knows if the united opposition will have a single candidate for the coming polls."

"There is no selection process, there is no consultation with the party membership. I want to distance myself from the politics of popularity, politics of patronage, politics of power and politics of the peso. We have to evaluate how we will relate to our electorate and the practice of electing people," he said.

Biazon said that when actor Fernando Poe Jr. had formally announced his presidential bid last Wednesday, he agreed to submit himself to the selection process of the LDP.

Poe’s announcement, according to the senator, has simply highlighted the breakup of the LDP.

"The circumstances in the declaration of Poe could only emphasize a division of the LDP. The process was not known to us. If we cannot be consulted on this issue, how can we present our platform to the people? A split-up is what is happening right now in the LDP," he said.

Biazon said that in making a bid for a senatorial post next year, he "would like to give a chance for my five advocacies as part of my platform, such as reforms in the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, so that we may achieve stability in our country."

He said he has filed 19 bills in the Senate and five of these bills call for the immediate implementation of needed reforms. One of the measures seeks to establish a new system in the appointment of the defense secretary and the Armed Forces chief of staff.

Another measure seeks to declare the illegal sale of arms and ammunition as a heinous crime.

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, for his part, said Biazon’s decision to go on indefinite leave from the LDP is a great loss to the party.

"The party will always be affected by any movement of any member of the Senate. Definitely we will be affected," he said.

Sotto said Biazon’s decision has "caused amazement" among some people, adding that "probably, later we will see a clear picture."