In a letter to Comelec Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. dated March 13 but was received only yesterday, Presidential Legal Counsel Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, who was elected LP secretary general under Atienza, said the March 2 National Assembly Meeting of the LP at the Manila Hotel was attended by majority of the LP congressmen, majority of the National Executive Council, and majority of the LP local chief executives nationwide.

"The party’s Constitution provides that the Party Chairman, Mayor Jose L. Atienza Jr., shall preside over the General Assembly such as the one held last March 2, 2006," Nachura said.

Nachura took exception to reports (not the Bulletin) quoting the Comelec as having recognized only the set of officials affiliated with Drilon.

"We, however, believe that the Commission was misquoted by said media organizations since the very excerpt of the Minutes of the Regular En Banc Meeting of the Commission on Nov. 25, 2005 merely took "note" of the letter" or "memorandum" of Sen. Drilon "relative" to the new office address of the Liberal Party and the (alleged) new set of officers (of the Party) for the years 2004-2007," Nachura said.

Nachura added that "nothing in said Minutes of the En Banc Meeting was there any categorical pronouncement by the Honorable Commission that it is "recognizing" the officers listed in the said "letter’’ or "memorandum" as the legitimate set of officers of the Liberal Party, as the camp of Sen. Drilon represents themselves to the public."

He attached to the letter to the Comelec the minutes of the March 2 meeting at the Manila Hotel certified by Robert Anthony L. Ramos, Special Assistant to the Director General of the party, and a resolution of the party under Atienza expressing full support to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the administration of President Arroyo.

The Nachura letter made no mention of the 11-page petition filed by Drilon last March 3 branding the election of officials under Atienza as null and void and should not be recognized for having been conducted in violation and contravention of the charter of the party.

The list of LP officials under Atienza submitted to the Comelec includes President Arroyo as Honorary Chairman and former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga as Chairman Emeritus.

Other officials of the LP National Political Council under Atienza are Budget Secretary Rolando G. Andaya Jr., vice chairman; Rep. Eric G. Singson, EVP; Rep. Harlin C. Abayon, VP for Policy, Platform, and Advocacy; Rep. Junie E. Cua, VP for External Affairs; Rep. Rodolfo G. Valencia, VP for Luzon; Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar Perez, VP for Visayas;

Rep. Federico S. Sandoval II, VP for NCR; Rep. Danton Q. Bueser, VP for Sectors; Ambassador Rigoberto D. Tiglao, Deputy Secretary General; Rep. Danilo Suarez, Treasurer; Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Deputy Treasurer; Rep. Solomon Chungalao, Party Legal Counsel; Rep. Fredenil H. Castro, Spokesman; Rep. Miles Andrew M. Roces, Deputy Spokesman; and Eleazar P. Qino, Director General.

Listed as ex-officio members were Rep. Laurence Wacnang, Chairman, Parliamentary Caucus; Gov. Vicente S. Gato, Chairman, Caucus of Local Chief Executives; and Councilor Melvin Macusi, Chairman, Liberal League of Local Legislators.