MANILA, Philippines ? More than a hundred local candidates led by local celebrities took oath as new members of the Liberal Party on Tuesday, as presidential aspirant Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III vowed anew to restore good governance in the country.

Celebrities Richard Gomez and Marjorie Barretto, together with Aquino's girlfriend Soledad Shalani, led the oath-taking at the Liberal Party national headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

Gomez is eyeing congressional seat in the fourth district of Tarlac, Barretto as councilor in Caloocan City, and Shalani as councilor in Valenzuela City.

During his speech, LP vice presidential bet Senator Mar Roxas offered a moment of silence for the fatalities in Maguindanao.

He said the oath-taking Tuesday was a "collective cry" to stop brutality and violence in Mindanao.

"This is a specially unique day. This oath-taking is a collective cry that violence must stop," Roxas said.

Aquino, on the other hand, said that the violence in Maguindanao was a "symptom" of neglected abuses.

A group of about 40 politicians, supporters and journalists were abducted in Maguindanao by gunmen linked to a powerful politician Monday. Twenty-four of them have been confirmed killed.