 President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, newly elected Chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), and re-elected party President former Senator Manuel Roxas II gestures at Noel Cabangon's performance of "Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino" during the 65th Founding Anniversary celebration of the Liberal Party (LP) at the President Corazon C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall in Club Filipino, San Juan City Wednesday January 19, 2011. This year's theme is "The Future is Now! Change is Now" to give credit to the party's triumph in 2010 national elections. Earlier, the ruling party conducted its election of officers coinciding with its national executive council meeting. The new set of LP officers are Senator Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Vice Chairmen; former Senator Manuel Roxas II, President; DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, Executive Vice President; Batanes Lone District Representative Henedina Abad, VP for Policy; Cavite 1st District Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, Secretary-General; and Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr., as Treasurer. The Liberal Party was founded in 1946 by President Manuel Roxas from what was once the "Liberal Wing" of the old Nacionalista Party. (Photo by: Rey Baniquet/ Malacaņang Photo Bureau/PCOO-NIB) |