LP Philippines hands over CALD chairmanship to SDP

(December 10, 2007/ Taipei, Taiwan) CALD held its Turnover Ceremony today on the 85^thfloor of Taipei 101, the world’s tallest completed skyscraper, with Hon. Franklin Drilon, former president of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) and outgoing CALD chairman, handing over the CALD chairmanship to the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) represented by its chairman, Mr. Gandhi Ambalam.

The ceremony started with Hon. Franklin Drilon giving his valedictory speech before distinguished guests from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe as well as dignitaries from Taiwan. He outlined the accomplishments of CALD under LP’s leadership and extended his gratitude to chair parties and chairpersons who have come before the Liberal Party of the Philippines, honoring their lasting imprint of dedication and commitment to the cause of Asian democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The hand over of the official CALD seal followed. This signified the transfer of the CALD leadership from the Liberal Party of the Philippines to the Singapore Democratic Party. Mr. Ambalam gave the acceptance speech on behalf of SDP and presented a multimedia presentation of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, secretary general of SDP, who was unable to join the CALD gathering to physically accept the chairmanship due to the charges by the Singapore government banning him from travelling outside Singapore. In his videocast, he said that despite the challenges and trials that SDP is experiencing, they will not be deterred and will strive to make their mark in CALD.

This is the seventh turnover ceremony of CALD. In 2005, President Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party handed over the CALD chairmanship to the Liberal Party of the Philippines representative, Senator Rodolfo Biazon held at the historic Taipei Guest House.

The CALD Executive Committee shall, every two years, elect from amongst its members in rotation a Chair Party and a Chair Party-Elect.

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This post was written by CALD