Recto ‘surprised’ at Osmeña's defection from LP

Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Ralph Recto on Thursday said he was “surprised" to learn that he had caused the defection of fellow senatorial candidate Sergio Osmeña III from the political organization. In a statement, Recto said he and his wife, actress and Batangas governor Vilma Santos, did not apply for LP membership but were invited by party leaders to join their ranks. “Nasorpresa ako sa balita na nagbabalak ang aking kaibigang si Serge Osmeña na lumisan sa LP dahil sa pagsanib ko (I was surprised to learn that my friend, Sergio Osmeña, left LP because I joined it)," he said.
FOR GMANEWS.TV'S 2010 ELECTION COVERAGE, VISIT YOURVOX Osmeña on Thursday said he had bolted the LP over differences with party leaders on the entry of Recto. Sources said Osmeña questioned LP's decision to accept Recto, who he said did not oppose or resist the Arroyo administration's alleged corrupt practices when he was still a senator and a Cabinet secretary. Recto denied this, saying he had opposed many measures being pushed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, among them moves to amend the 1987 Constitution and to adopt a national ID system. “I have never allowed my party affiliation to get in the way of my principles," Recto said. - GMANews.TV