LP to hold mass oath taking

Thousands of PDP LABAN members headed by former Olongapo City Mayor Teddy Macapagal and his eldest son, US-based Michael Macapagal, President & CEO of northern California’s largest escrow company, will take their oaths to become official members of the Liberal Party tomorrow (Saturday).

The father and son team together with their loyal supporters revived their political organization in support for for Liberal Party presidential standard bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino and the rest of his slate.

LP’s local candidate for the city headed by incumbent councilor Luigi Lipumano will also be proclaimed as official LP bets.

The event will take place at Olongapo City National High School on April 24. The proclamation rally will be attended by Liberal Party stalwarts, including senatorial candidates and members of the Aquino family.

The younger Macapagal who is one of the conveners of the US Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar Movement (USPN4NM) who has chapters across the United States came home to the Philippines to help organize the Aquino campaign in Olongapo City.

A distant relative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the family supported GMA when she first ran for senator, then vice president and later, as president. Following Cory’s lead, the family supported calls for GMA to resign after the “Hello Garci scandal erupted”. Asked why they are now supporting Aquino, Michael said that “like his father and his mother before him, Aquino is running on the right side of history.”

When ‘Ted Mac’ retired from politics, he concentrated on his real profession as a lawyer. He refused to take any government appointments during the presidency of Ramos, Estrada and later, PGMA. To this day, he continues his work providing free legal assistance to the residents of Olongapo and Quezon City.

When former president Cory Aquino passed away and her only son, Noynoy Aquino decided to run for president, Michael plunged right back into politics.

“I left the country years ago to find a quiet life for my family. I felt then that our mission was accomplished. Marcos was kicked out and democracy was restored. But this election is reminiscent of the battle against the former dictator.” The young Macapagal said told www.subictimes.com.

“Today, we are faced with a government compounded with shocking allegations of massive graft and corruption. We have to protect the very essence of what Ninoy Aquino died for. Besides, when I left the country, I left my heart in Olongapo”. He added.

Michael’s office is the official headquarters of USPN4NM in northern California. He chairs the “Events Committee”, which is tasked in organizing town-hall meetings.

Together with Fil-Am community leaders Rodel Rodis, Ted Laguatan, Charito Benipayo, Gloria Navarrete, Fred Aquitania and others, the group held numerous rallies in Daly City, Union City, Rodeo, Vallejo, Sacramento and San Jose. Their nationwide group, led by businesswoman Loida Nicolas-Lewis,Vicky Garchitorena and others, held simultaneous rallies to commemorate the anniversary of People Power in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Texas, Las Vegas, San Francisco’s Union Square, Los Angeles, Chicago, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington State and others.

Tedmac, as he is fondly called, urges his supporters to vote for Aquino and Roxas and the rest of the LP ticket.

When Senator Aquino visited Olongapo several weeks ago, the incumbent mayor denied a request made by Aquino’s supporters to hold their political rally at the Triangle, Olongapo’s main plaza.

“In 1986, when Cory came to Olongapo, the same thing happened. We couldn’t hold a rally because then mayor Richard Gordon refused to grant us a permit, but Cory ended up being president. A few years later, when Erap ran, the same thing happened, and again Erap ended up winning. When GMA ran for VP, the Gordons crossed party lines to support Ed Angara, and tore up GMA’s posters in Olongapo. So you see, this may be a good sign for Noynoy, because every candidate that the Gordons refused in Olongapo ended up winning their respective races”, explains the younger Macapagal.

“We have long retired from the dirty game of local politics”, explains the former mayor. “Once upon a time I risked my life for an Aquino against the Marcos. I never thought that we would actively campaign again, let alone for another Aquino. Today, we continue the fight because our country desperately needs change to the direction.” Tedmac said.

In the local battle, the Macapagals are supporting the slate of Magsaysay, a coalition led by former Zambales Governor Vicente Magsaysay for Mayor and former Olongapo Vice Mayor Rolen Paulino for Vice Mayor and 1st district congressional candidate Mitos Magsaysay.