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(December
10, 2007/ Taipei, Taiwan) CALD held its Turnover Ceremony today
on the 85th floor of Taipei 101, the world's tallest
completed skyscraper, with Hon. Franklin Drilon, former
president of the Liberal
Party of the Philippines (LP) and outgoing CALD chairman, handing
over the CALD chairmanship to the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)
represented by its chairman, Mr. Gandhi Ambalam.
The ceremony
started with Hon. Franklin Drilon giving his valedictory speech
before distinguished guests from Asia, Africa, Latin America,
and Europe as well as dignitaries from Taiwan. He outlined the
accomplishments of CALD under LP’s leadership and extended his
gratitude to chair parties and chairpersons who have come before
the Liberal Party of the Philippines, honoring their lasting
imprint of dedication and commitment to the cause of Asian
democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The hand
over of the official CALD seal followed. This signified the
transfer of the CALD leadership from the Liberal Party of the
Philippines to the Singapore Democratic Party. Mr. Ambalam gave
the acceptance speech on behalf of SDP and presented a
multimedia presentation of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, secretary general
of SDP, who was unable to join the CALD gathering to physically
accept the chairmanship due to the charges by the Singapore
government banning him from travelling outside Singapore. In his
videocast, he said that despite the challenges and trials that
SDP is experiencing, they will not be deterred and will strive
to make their mark in CALD.
This is the
seventh turnover ceremony of CALD. In 2005, President Chen
Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party handed over the
CALD chairmanship to the Liberal Party of the Philippines
representative, Senator Rodolfo Biazon held at the historic
Taipei Guest House.
The CALD
Executive Committee shall, every two years, elect from amongst
its members in rotation a Chair Party and a Chair Party-Elect.
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