Former budget secretary named as Asian liberals head

Former budget secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad has been elected as the new chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) announced on Saturday. Abad previously served as CALD chairman from 1999 to 2000. “The question is no longer whether democracy will expand. The question is whether democracy will survive,” Abad said in his acceptance speech. He cited growing threats to democracy worldwide, including the rise of elected authoritarianism, the erosion of institutions, the spread of disinformation, deepening inequality, and the weakening of democratic norms. Despite these challenges, Abad expressed optimism about the “rise of a new generation of citizens,” noting their active role in demanding accountability, challenging corruption, and reshaping political landscapes. “They are not passive citizens—they are agents of democratic disruption and renewal,” he said of young people. “In 2000, we believed democracy was the future. In 2026, we must fight to ensure it still is,” Abad added. He also outlined six priorities for Asian liberal democrats: restoring integrity in public finance and governance; rebuilding and protecting democratic institutions; defending truth in the age of artificial intelligence; preventing the abuse of technology; making democracy deliver tangible results for people; and investing in the next generation of democratic leaders. Abad previously served as LP president from 1999 to 2004. He also served as Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management under then president Benigno Aquino III.

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