Pormal na nagbitiw sa puwesto si Senator Kiko Pangilinan bilang presidente ng Liberal Party ngayong Martes, May 21—walong araw makalipas ang 2019 elections.
Ang Liberal Party (LP) ang partido ng six out of eight senatorial candidates sa ilalim ng oposisyong koalisyong Otso Diretso.
Inihain ni Senator Kiko ang kanyang resignation kay Vice President Leni Robredo.
Ang pagkatalo ng lahat ng walong kandidato ng Otso Diretso ang dahilan ng pagbitiw ni Senator Kiko sa puwesto.
Sabi sa official statement ni Senator Kiko:
"As campaign manager for the Otso Diretso slate, I was unable to ensure our victory in the elections and I therefore assume full responsibility for the outcome and hold myself primarily accountable for this defeat and have tendered my resignation as president of the LP effective June 30, 2019."
Kabilang sa Otso Diretso candidates sina Gary Alejano (Magdalo/LP), Bam Aquino (LP), Chel Diokno (LP), Samira Gutoc (LP), Florin Hilbay (Aksyon), Romulo Macalintal (Independent), Mar Roxas (LP), at Erin Tañada (LP).
Karamihan sa mga pumasok sa Magic 12 ng winning senatorial candidates ay mga kaalyado ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
Sa kabilang banda, umaasa ang LP Vice Chairperson na si Senator Franklin Drilon na magbabago pa ang isip ni Senator Kiko at magpatuloy pa rin bilang lider ng LP.
Narito ang kabuuang statement ni Senator Drilon tungkol kay Senator Kiko:
"We are deeply saddened by his resignation as our party president.
"We did not expect it, especially in times like this when we need a steady hand to lead the party alongside Vice President Leni Robredo.
"We are witness on how Senator Pangilinan worked very hard and diligently to campaign for Otso Diretso candidates. Unfortunately, we lost.
"While his resignation is a class act, we hope that he will reconsider his decision.
"We will try to convince him to reconsider his decision and ask the party leadership to not accept his resignation."