(Speech Delivered by REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN
after his election as National Chairperson
of the Lakas Kampi CMD during the National Council Meeting on 24 February 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria)
Our National Council Meeting today indeed has multiple significance.
First, it is a concrete affirmation that Lakas Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats Party is vibrant, viable and credible. Like love and politics, it is here to stay – to survive, grow, challenge and prevail.
Our party has the enduring character of plurality and inclusiveness. It makes collective decisions and exhaustive consultations. Its strength and growth do not depend on a single personality. Every member is an anchor and propeller of our party.
Our party’s tradition of excellence and legacy of achievements, particularly exemplified by the administration of President Arroyo, had established solid foundations and enshrined enabling essentials for our Republic, which are indubitable credentials acknowledged no less by impartial and reputable foreign and Filipino economists, and even by the Finance Secretary of the present administration.
Second, our assembly today underscores the truism that political parties are the hallmarks of a republican democracy, the guardians of representative governance.
Political parties are springboard for electoral mandate as they present to the electorate an agenda for action and development supported by their chosen candidates.
They are also the soundboard for popular consensus or dissent which political parties must hear, adhere and reckon with.
Our party has effectively discharged these functions – both as springboard and soundboard of popular will.
Third, the other signal significance of our assembly today is for us to realize the party’s role as the dominant opposition party, particularly in the Congress as its sizeable membership belongs to the House Minority.
With due deference to the alignment with the House Majority of some distinguished members of our party, I earnestly entreat them, if possible, to join cause with the Minority and bolster the opposition in quality, talent and numbers.
Although we still remain to be the dominant party at the local level, after we have unfortunately lost the Presidency and expectedly the Speakership, at the national plane we have been relegated to a minority status, not an enviable situation but an important role nonetheless.
The overriding role of the minority includes the following:
(1) It presents itself as the viable alternative to the administration as it espouses alternative policies and views which are more responsible and responsive than the flawed importuning of the majority.
(2) It works as a vigilant sentinel in scrutinizing the operations of the Executive and exercises oversight functions on the performance and accountability of Executive officials, particularly in the utilization of finances and implementation of laws and policies.
(3) It initiates legislation consistent with its legislative agenda, introduces perfecting amendments to administration measures and remains steadfast in opposing bills and policies which are repugnant to the constitution, violative of civil liberties and detrimental to public interest.
(4) It is the spokesman of the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors.
(5) In proper cases, as a constructive opposition party, it forges a national consensus with the majority or the administration.
The renowned French political thinker and historian Alexis de Tocqueville said “the majority not only makes the laws, but can break them as well”. It is for this reason that the minority exists and must flourish.