Dalog’s ‘sudden’ LP membership questioned amid graft allegations

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Rep. Maximo Dalog’s “sudden” membership” in the Liberal Party despite allegations of graft and corruption filed against him is being questioned by regional and provincial LP stalwarts.

Provincial LP chairman Louis Claver said he was “surprised” over Dalog’s membership even as the latter’s critics said he was one among 24 defectors who ran as Lakas-Kampi -CMD member under former President Gloria Arroyo in the May elections.

Claver, a lawyer and former vice-governor said he was “not informed of the former governor’s (Dalog) intention to join the Liberal Party”.

Dalog took his oath as LP member on June 25 and supported the Speakership of LP member Rep. Sonny Belmonte in Congress.

LP members of the province , Baguio and other parts of the Cordillera said they were shocked at the sudden oath-taking of Dalog considering there was no endorsement from the provincial level before his application should have been approved by the National Organizing and Membership Commission of the party.

The LP constitution provides “an application for membership in the Party shall be submitted to the provincial, district, city or municipal committee of applicant’s residence, which shall have the authority to recommend its approval or disproval to the NOMC of the Party.”

LP rules however provide “applications may also be submitted to and approved directly by the Party President.”

Earlier, LP coordinator for Sagada municipality of this province Salvador Liked in his letter to LP Chairman Franklin Drilon asked Drilon to “reconsider the entry of Dalog as member of the Liberal Party”.

He informed Drilon of cases of corruption allegedly committed by Dalog including reported corruption of calamity funds and widespread vote buying.

Liked followed this up with a recent letter to LP Chairman Emeritus Jovito Salonga informing Salonga of Dalog’s “glaring disregard of the law” being contradictory to the basic principles of Liberal Party on social justice.

He further asked Salonga to reconsider Dalog’s membership to the LP.

Claver said other provincial LP members await resolution from the LP leadership following Liked’s complaint.