Democratic Party president told to resign

A member of the Democratic Party’s Central Executive Committee has demanded the resignation of the party president Carlos S. Camacho for allegedly using his position to push his own political agenda, including the candidacy of his nephew, former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja.

Since Mr. Camacho assumed the presidency of the party, he has not allowed free discussions and deliberations on issues which do not meet his political interest, according to Pedro R Deleon Guerrero.

“It has to be what you like, what you want, and what meets and serves your political interest or agenda that comes first, and nothing else,” said Mr. Deleon Guerrero in a letter addressed to Mr. Camacho.

When Mr. Camacho announced the candidacy of Mr. Borja during a meeting of the members of the Central Executive Committee on March 22, 2000 clearly showed conflict of interest in his position, he added. While Mr. Borja has not made any decision yet on his political plans, Mr. Camacho has already declared that his nephew is the party’s candidate, the letter said.

Saying he welcomes any declaration of Mr. Borja to run in the November 2001 elections, Mr. Deleon Guerrero said it would be premature for the members of the committee to officially endorse his candidacy since he has yet to submit in writing his intention to run in the November 2001 elections.

It would be premature and a violation of the party’s by-laws to make a decision now on the candidacy of Mr. Borja since other Democrats may later come forward and declare their intention to run, Mr. Deleon Guerrero pointed out.

“However, in all fairness, because of the obvious position you took on this issue, you have identified upon yourself a direct conflict of interest. You can no longer be fair in the administration of your duties and responsibilities as [p]resident,” he told Mr. Camacho.

Mr. Deleon Guerrero said the insistence of Mr. Camacho to have his proposed amendments to the party’s by-laws approved by the Central Executive Committee during a meeting at the Carolinian Hut undermined the integrity of the members of the committee.

The suggested amendments of Mr. Camacho provides for the automatic termination of any member accused of any wrongdoing. However, this was strongly opposed by the members present during the board meeting.

The intent of the proposed amendments was to expel members of the party even before they are proven guilty, said Mr. Deleon Guerrero.

During the meeting, Mr. Deleon Guerrero said he was surprised to see Mr. Borja, who was invited to explain to the Central Executive Committee the amendments proposed by Mr. Camacho.

Apparently not happy with the earlier rejection by the committee members, Mr. Camacho placed the recommended changes for reconsideration and suggested to junk the adopted and approved amendments.

“This action of yours is suspect, and greatly undermine the integrity of the members of the Central Executive Committee. Frankly, your amendments are vindictive in nature, and serve no political benefit or otherwise to the Democratic Party or to its members, and candidates for political offices in coming elections,” he added.