CALD explores membership expansion in Timor-Leste

“East Timor is a vibrant country, a hopeful nation that is considered the most democratic in Southeast Asia,” said CALD Chairperson Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former Philippine Senator and incumbent Chairperson of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, during the three-day CALD Executive Mission in the country last 17-19 July 2023. 

Held in the capital of Dili, the mission aimed to learn about Timor-Leste’s democratic development and current political issues, and facilitate knowledge exchange among key political leaders. Moreover, the mission also sought to understand the ideology, platform, and advocacy of political parties in the country and explore the possibility of inviting them to be members of CALD.

The CALD delegation met with H.E. José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste and Nobel Peace Laureate, at the Presidential Office, and discussed the political developments in the country, the results of the parliamentary elections, possible partnerships, and the pressing issues that need regional cooperation. 

Pangilinan raised the political situation in Myanmar and invited President Horta to join future initiatives of CALD to strengthen regional efforts in helping address the ongoing conflict. President Horta said he is closely working with the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, the government-in-exile, and agreed to receive the first group of 100 refugees – people in agriculture, IT, medicine, education — who will be granted full privileges and freedom to travel in Timor-Leste. 

Pangilinan also discussed the expansion efforts of CALD in terms of its membership and President Horta suggested to engage the Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) and Democratic Party (PD), current coalition partners of the new government.

At the National Parliament during the plenary hearing of the government’s national program, the delegation was able to establish initial contacts with the two parties, wherein CALD and CNRT agreed to setup a meeting online to discuss collaborative next steps.  

CALD also met with Fretilin, the current opposition party, represented by Deputada Lídia Norberta Dos Santos Martins and Deputada Cristina Yuri Rebelo Dos S. Costa, and talked about the party’s role as a fiscalizer to make sure priority programs will benefit the people. 

In addition to Fretilin, CALD also met with António De Sá Benevides, former Member of Parliament representing the Party of Unity for Democratic Development (PUDD). Benevides gave an overview of the political party dynamics in parliament and the role of President Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in pushing for economic policies while balancing talks with coalition partners. 

During a press briefing at the Presidential Office, Pangilinan said the visit to Timor-Leste was inspiring because of the similarities in terms of political struggle and aspiration of the people to achieve peace and a more democratic society. He invited political parties to join and work with CALD and utilize the network not just to talk about local and regional issues, but to find common areas for cooperation in strengthening freedom and democracy.

The members of the delegation included CALD Secretary General Francis “Blue” Abaya, former Member of Parliament, CALD Program Manager Paolo Zamora, and Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff, head of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for East and Southeast Asia. The mission to Timor-Leste is part of the CALD leadership’s quest to expand its membership base and strengthen its liberal initiatives in Asia.