Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — The Liberal Party on Saturday said it will keep Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo as a member despite “some clamor to sanction [her]” following her defense of confidential funds, particularly of Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices.
The party said its management committee unanimously reached the decision, together with some district representatives.
“Rep. Stella Quimbo is still a member of the Liberal Party,” read the statement, which Rep. Edcel Lagman, president of the party, released to the media.
It said that while Quimbo’s views on the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education — as well as her position on the Maharlika Investment Fund — run contrary to the collective position of the party leadership and ranking officials, it recognizes its members right to express differing views.
“The enduring tradition of the Liberal Party is to allow its members to take independent views on national issues in recognition of a member’ s freedom of expression and dissent,” the party said.
It also noted that Quimbo later acknowledged the need for more transparency on the use and audit of secret funds, and better accountability on the part of officials.
After drawing flak for backing the vice president, Quimbo called for the creation of a House Special Oversight Committee for confidential and intelligence funds to promote transparency in the budget.
