Internal democracy, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Democracy and National Alliance (IDNA) is crucial for a political party to become more democratic, transparent and effective. With internal democracy, specific challenges for the internal management and functioning of parties and party systems will be identified.

Below is an excerpt on a talk delivered by the Chairman of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) during the 4th National Party Congress. Herewith is the citation of the importance of unity and internal democracy.

Yesterday [November 21], we tested ourselves, not in the field of electoral contests outside the confines of our party – nonetheless an electoral exercise within. There were hurts and recriminations, but there were successes too. And the main triumph is that we remained intact, unbroken and united. Let us keep it this way.

In a growing family like ours there are bound to be conflicts, clashes of ideas even of personalities – but we need to lessen the latter and heighten the former. After two years of our existence yesterday’s was one indication of growing pains. It is only natural in a family that such differences occur.

My fervent hope now is that over time the residues of our internal engagements and slights we inflicted upon ourselves will heal. I have no doubt that it will. And it must heal fast as we need to be intact in the coming months.

We have looming before us an even bigger encounter; the fight for the hearts and minds of our clientele – the Filipino. In these coming 2016 elections, we the members of the CDP family have a clear chance to put a dent on the usual practices of our foes every time an election cycle come. Arrayed before us are the experts at this abominable game of Patronage Politics who have honed their expertise over the decades.

Why do I juxtapose yesterday’s events in our National Council with the impending political confrontation we will soon be facing? Simple! Yesterday’s events were a culmination of a series of misunderstandings, miscommunications and mistrust within and among our leadership and our membership over a period of time. We were not vigilant to each other’s feelings and sensitivities. What averted a catastrophe was perhaps our desire not to push the limits of our discretion. I would even propose that our Party is becoming more mature and understands that we will have to depend on each other. What comes into my mind is a J.K. Rowling’s admonition, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

While this experience is still fresh in our minds, let us pause and remember who we are and what we have:

We are a band of brothers & sisters, a family, a political party of Centrist Democrats,a breathing living organism that needs to be nurtured so we can perform our tasks of political education, training our leaders and supporting our candidates. We, the members own this party – not by any moneyed patron who dictates where we go and what we do.

We practice Internal democracy, with clear structures we agreed on that help define each of our roles and we impose discipline on ourselves learning to follow simple rules - before we ask the governed to follow the rule of law - If by the grace of God, we are allowed by our citizens to govern them.

We anchor ourselves and our concepts and platform of governance on a clear Centrist Democratic Ideology – respect for human dignity - our core value.

And more importantly, we exist not only during campaign periods but the whole year round at the service of our fellow citizens.

We are the new face of renewed hope for the Filipino race. Let us keep this in mind as we celebrate our 4th Congress today.

In closing, I will refer to Winston Churchill as we confront the exigencies of the imminent electoral contests: “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

Lito Monico Lorenzana