Today marks the birthing of the CENTRIST DEMOCRATIC PARTY – Ang Partido ng tunay na Demokrasya.  In the long saga of Centrist Democracy in the Philippines, this is another episode we are all writing but a very crucial one.  We don’t know how the storyline will develop ultimately. There will be twists and turns along the way - but one thing is guaranteed – the Philippine political topography will be altered in ways never before witnessed since the time this State became a Republic.

Democracy in the Philippines has been a travesty for too long and has deteriorated over time presided over by the very people we gifted the privilege to govern. The CDP will not tolerate this. The CDP, our party, will have to transform the very ground that nurtures and propagate the system that perverts democracy.

Several days ago in Zamboanga in a press conference following a youth forum, we were asked by media people “…gentlemen, who are your personalities that will lead your party, your brand names?” Another reporter asked, “…election in the Philippines are very expensive, and you need lots of money – how will you raise the money without rich sponsors…?”

These questions reflect the mindset not only of media but numerous spectators of the political game who are accustomed to the type of politics practiced over the decades. And who can blame them? Such dastardly practices are the motivations that strike deep into the heart of why in the first place we need a new but totally different political party – in fact a real no- nonsense political party.

For too long personalities are the dominant consideration by the current political parties in putting up candidates arrayed for the electorate’s choice; the crowd drawing appeal, the electability factor – notwithstanding their capability, competence and even moral standing.

My answer to the 1^st question: the CDP is not into the politics of personalities. We advocate the politics of ideas, the clash of ideologies – that will elicit only the best for the voter’s considerations; while at the same time uplifting them by respecting, honoring and acknowledging their dignity by presenting to them worthy choices.

To the 2^nd question: The CDP does not need a sponsor – a patron. The patronage system in Philippine politics has been the single most devastating malignancy. To put it succinctly, let me quote the eminent former Chief Justice Renato Puno:

“I like to stress the failure of our electoral system to excise the virus of the politics of patronage that has infected our so called elections…xxx…This vicious politics of patronage has allowed few oligarchs and bosses to rule us from colonial times to post-colonial times and their rule has brought us nothing but a facade of democracy, its mirage but not its miracle.”

Yes, this party is populated by non-entities, unknown with no brand names.
Yes, we don’t have the money that traditionally old politics pay homage to and totally rely on.

Yes, it will take time for a new and young party – an upstart to initiate all these changes.

But look at it from this pragmatic way:
We are not burdened by the baggage of the failed leadership – brand named traditional politicians who are no longer capable of learning new modes of good governance. They are a dying breed.

Money, however essential is merely a tool and our lack of it is simply temporary. It can be raised through the masses of the populace not dependent on sponsors and patrons. This is the age of social networking and the internet – the natural environment of our dues-paying membership.

We have today the appearance of a phenomenon. A large politically conscious youth who has negated the current conditions of Philippine Society particularly its political underpinnings that leave much to be desired. This is the CDP.

These are the young professionals who have a stake on the party and have decided to seize the day; to grab the moment and declare that henceforth they will attempt in their own way to manage their path to the future.

These are the young and not so young who have retained not only their idealism but their natural youthful arrogance that they can alter the state of affairs for the good of society.

These people understand that confronting the tyranny of old politics is not a walk in the park. It will not be much of a contest at the onset – but they are resilient and have a superior ability to learn and to adapt.

And time is on our side. 

Today, in this congress we mark the arrival of a new player – the new kid on the block, the CDP. Henceforth we give notice that our resolve may be seen as a small ember of a fire – but it can turn into a conflagration. And burn, burn it will.

Mabuhay and Centrist Democratic Party!

Mabuhay ang Kabataan!
Mabuhay and Pilipinas!

1^st CDP Congress
Makati Sports Club
March 25, 2012