BY VEN REBO ARIGO

A new national progressive political party in the country is given birth at a purposeful gathering of its lead convenors in Bohol.

The People’s Progressive Humanist Liberal (PolPHIL) Party drafted its constitution and by-laws yesterday at the Bohol Shores Resort in Dao, Dauis on Panglao island yesterday.

It anchors it’s all-encompassing welfare agenda on reforms and peace that value justice and equity.

For the core group, while conflicts  cause ruin and misery, there are always national initiatives for sustainable progress.

The PolPHIL Party constitution and by-laws featured the following lead convenors:

*Fr. Ed dela Torre of the

Atin Ito Coalition for the defense of the West Philippine Sea and a  former political detainee;

*Prof. Nestor Castro, former University of the Philippines (UP) vice chancellor, former political detainee, and former secretary-general of the Kabataang Makabayan in the 80’s;

*Atty. Argee Guevarra, former youth leader of the group of the late Felimon “Popoy” Lagman of the CPP Metro-Manila- Rizal Commission,  lawyer for the poor and the NGOs ang Sanlakas Party;

*Niva Gonzales, academic professor and NGO leader, former national council member of the KM;

*Ric Serrano, Arnel Ramos, Rogel Garcia, Fortunato Agbayani, former activists of the ‘80s, cooperative leaders, media and communications experts, and political campaigners;

*Noel Medina, former national president of KADENA (Kabataan Para sa Demokrasya at Nationalismo), former Pasig City councilor, political consultant and campaigner; and

*Rudy ‘Kid’ Cañeda, founding president of POLPhil (Political Officers League of the Philippines) and organizer of PolPHIL as political party.

The drafting of the constitution and by-laws was graced by Bohol Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, who is also the POLPhil povincial chairman.