| (April 2, 2005/ Manila) The Liberal Party of the Philippines and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) sponsored a formal dinner-reception for liberal parliamentarians worldwide attending the 112th Inter-Parliamentary (IPU) General Assembly in Manila.The program started with welcome remarks by Philippine Senator Rodolfo Biazon and Thai parliamentarian Alongkorn Ponlaboot (Democrat Party) in behalf of the Liberal Party and CALD, respectively. This was followed by Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and Liberal Party Secretary General Benigno Simeon Aquino III who introduced the keynote speaker.
Hon. Franklin Drilon, Senate President and president of the Liberal Party gave his keynote address focusing on democratic challenges, particularly in the Philippines and the region (please see related story and full text of his speech).
Giving their responses were Madam Androula Vassiliou, MP, of the United Democrats and former First Lady of Cyprus in behalf of the European Liberal Democratic Reform Party (ELDR) where she is vice-president; and Ms. Trine Skei Grande, MP of the Norwegian Liberal Party in behalf of Liberal International.
Former CALD Chairman Sam Rainsy, MP, gave the closing response in behalf of CALD where he tackled the issue of the lifting of his and his colleagues parliamentary immunity (please see related news articles).
The event, emceed by Dr. Nereus Acosta, MP, Executive Vice President of the Liberal Party and member of the CALD Executive Committee, culminated with the traditional toast delivered by Secretary (Minister) Rene Villa.
The program was attended by more than a hundred parliamentarians and diplomats from Angola, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Slovac Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Uruguay.
Among the attendees were former Senate President and Chairman Emeritus of the Liberal Party Jovito Salonga, Senate Majority Floorleader and Liberal Party Vice Chairman Francis Pangilinan, Belgian liberal parliamentarian and Chairman of the influential 12 + Group of the IPU Geert Versnick and Uri Party senior official and head of the Korean delegation Dr. Jay K. Yoo, MP.
Among the members of Manila’s diplomatic corps were Dutch Ambassador Robert Vornis, Italian Ambassador Umberto Colesanti, Korean Ambassador Yu Myung-hwan, Romanian Ambassador Radu Homescu and Swiss Ambassador Lise Favre.
The reception was supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation and was done with the assistance of the Young Liberals of the Philippines (KALIPI).
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