| (April 2, 2005/ Manila) In his keynote address during the Reception for Liberal Parliamentarians jointly hosted by the Liberal Party and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD), Senate President Franklin Drilon stated that there have been remarkable democratic advancements especially in the region; however, global scourges such as poverty, corruption and terrorism continue to have corrosive effects.Senator Drilon lamented the fact that democratic successes at the end of the cold war was not matched by economic emancipation of poor countries. He criticized the many wealthy countries that profess their commitment to democracy but actually circumvent global trade rules at the expense of the poor and underdeveloped countries. He argued that “dismantling trade barriers is a thousand times better than giving aid (to poor countries) which most of the time will end up in corrupt hands.”
As leader of the Philippine liberals, Senator Drilon pointed out with pride the role of Philippine EDSA evolution which inspired similar peaceful movements in Asia and Eastern Europe. The role of the Liberal Party was emphasized by the occasion’s master of ceremonies, Rep. Nereus Acosta who pointed out that martyred hero, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was the party’s secretary general until the time of his assassination in 1983. Dr. Acosta then introduced Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodian opposition and former CALD chair, who is often compared to the late Senator Aquino. Mr. Sam Rainsy, currently in exile after his parliamentary immunity was lifted, admonished the widescale and systematic corruption in Cambodia and the impunity of and the blatant abuse of power by the ruling regime. He vowed that despite the political harassment against him and his party, he will continue to expose corruption in Cambodia, which is in danger of becoming another Burma because of unabated abuse and graft. “ASEAN will have two, instead of one, headaches,” Mr. Sam warned. He appealed to parliamentarians attending the IPU to speak out against the lifting of parliamentary immunity which he believes was carried out to silence the opposition. He also thanked liberals worldwide for their support. “As a result of persecution, I have become jobless and hopeless, but because of the liberal family, I am not helpless and certainly, I am not hopeless,” Mr. Sam declared amidst the applause of the crowd. Click here for more details. |
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