Environment Secretary Lito Atienza is ready to reconcile with the Liberal Party (LP) faction led by Senator Mar Roxas and former senator Franklin Drilon on the condition that those responsible for splitting the party should admit their mistake of arrogating power unto themselves.

Atienza added that he has not burned the bridges behind him and opened the door to negotiations to unite a political party that had been sundered when the anti-Arroyo Drilon wing proceeded to hold its convention and election of officers without the participation of the Atienza wing.

 The environment chief told journalists in Friday's edition of the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt that he is asking Sen. Benigno “Noynoy”

Aquino III to broker the reconciliation talks to strengthen the party, which counts on only 2,800 members, in order for it to recruit more members as the ruling Lakas-Kampi coalition shows signs of breaking apart.

Atienza noted that since Sen. Aquino has been chosen to lead the party and run for President in the May 2010 elections, it is most appropriate for him to exercise statesmanship by unifying the party that his own murdered father served as secretary general in the early 1970s.

Surveys have shown Aquino is gaining on his possible opponents, particularly Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who is even behind Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, who scuttled his presidential bid in favor of Aquino. Teodoro is a second cousin of Sen. Aquino.