Senator Francis Pangilinan handed yesterday his letter of resignation as president of the 73-year-old Liberal Party (LP) to LP chairperson Vice President Leni Robredo.
Pangilinan made the “surprise’’ move after taking full responsibility for the results of the national elections which saw the opposition eight-member “Otso Diretso’’ slate suffer a complete shutout.
“As campaign manager for the Otso Diretso slate, I was unable to ensure our victory in the elections and I therefore assume full responsibility for the outcome and hold myself primarily accountable for this defeat and have tendered my resignation as president of the LP effective June 30, 2019,” Pangilinan said in a press statement.
However, Vice President Leni Robredo rejected the resignation of Pangilinan and that of Rep. Kit Belmonte as party secretary-general.
Vice presidential spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said Robredo did not accept the resignations.
“The VP has not accepted Senator Kiko’s and Cong Kit’s resignations. Much work remains to be done, and they will do it, together,” Gutierrez said.
On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader and LP Vice Chairman Franklin Drilon said that ‘’we are deeply saddened by his resignation as our party president.’’
‘’We did not expect it, especially in times like this when we need a steady hand to lead the party alongside Vice President Leni Robredo,’’ Drilon said.
Drilon said the Filipino people witnessed how Senator Pangilinan worked very hard and diligently to campaign for Otso Diretso candidates.
‘’Unfortunately, we lost,’’ he added. (With report from Raymund Antonio)
