Supreme Court: Drilon retains LP leadership

In the same resolution, the court maintained that the resolution of intra-party disputes falls under the jurisdiction of COMELEC.

COMELEC earlier ruled that Drilon’s term as LP president has already expired and called for the holding of elections to end the leadership vacuum in the country’s oldest political party.

Drilon lauded the high tribunal’s decision as a “vindication” for the legitimate leadership of LP.

“We feel vindicated. We are elated by the Supreme Court decision upholding the legitimate leadership of the Liberal Party and we hope this will signal the long-awaited reunification of the second oldest political party of the country,” he said in a statement.

“We salute the Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law and the right of independent political parties to free association. We have always maintained that in the end, the rule of law will prevail over unscrupulous political maneuverings by those who seek to exploit the party for selfish, personal interests other than the collective well-being of its members,” he added,

Drilon earlier said that under the ratified Salonga constitution, his term should end in November 2007 and not in July 2005 as claimed by the LP faction of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. Drilon assumed the party presidency after former LP president Florencio Abad was appointed education secretary.

Drilon has challenged Atienza’s authority after the Manila mayor was elected LP president at a so-called “rump elections” in March 2006.

The court decision is expected to pave the way for the designation of LP as one of six major political parties in the May 14 polls, entitling it to a copy of election returns and the right to field watchers and inspectors