Biazon, Mitra join Liberal Party

After taking a leave of absence from the opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon and Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra have joined the pro-administration Liberal Party (LP), a congressman said yesterday.

The congressman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Biazon and Mitra took a leave of absence because they were disgusted over LDP party chairman Sen. Edgardo Angara’s leadership.

He said that the two congressmen found the LP "a good party to be with," adding that at least one senator and three more congressmen are joining the third largest party in the country.

"We are actually entertaining more applications, many want to join us," the congressman said. He noted that the LP’s expansion has put a serious dent to the presidential bid of former education secretary Raul Roco, since some of the LP’s new members are from his so-called bailiwicks.

The congressman said new party members will be sworn in on Jan. 14, when the LP announces who it is going to endorse as its presidential candidate.

Earlier reports said the LP, a member of the ruling People Power Coalition, is expected to support President Arroyo’s bid for a second term.

When asked to comment, Mitra said he is just on leave from the LDP and was "adopted" by the LP. His father, the late Speaker Ramon Mitra, was one of the founders of the LDP.

"We’ll be back to kick him (Angara) out (from the LDP) with a vengeance," Mitra told The STAR.

Biazon, for his part, said there are "talks" with LP leaders and that he also received feelers from two parties, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Roco’s Aksyon Demokratiko, to join them.

Biazon said he will make an official announcement today on which party he belongs when he files his certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections. He is seeking a second term as congressman for Muntinlupa City.

Among the other congressmen joining the LP are Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., a Lakas stalwart and chairman of the House appropriations committee; and Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico Sandoval, another Lakas stalwart.

Andaya confirmed that he is "returning to the party of my father."

"I left to give Lakas a free hand in managing their affairs in Bicol," he said. "I have no quarrel with Lakas and I have always been loyal to them."

Andaya said he finds his situation untenable — while Lakas officials refuse to let him go even if he already joined the LP, they plan to field a candidate against him. He added that the LP will be the last party for him. — Paolo Romero