POLITICAL TACTIC | Pacquiao picked PROMDI as fallback amid PDP-Laban rift, admits ally

October 5, 2021 , 09:36 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(October 5, 2021) – Sen. Manny Pacquiao chose to run under a coalition party as part of his political strategy in the face of persistent infighting within Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), a close ally under his faction said on Monday.

Vice chairperson Lutgardo Barbo said they are preparing for any possibility as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decides on the case ahead of the 2022 elections. Despite their confidence, Barbo floated the possibility that the faction led by Department of Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi might force a favorable ruling.

“I don’t want to use the word—mabraso nila. (But) we think that the PDP-Laban under the leadership of Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao is the genuine and the original party,” said Barbo on One News’ The Chiefs.

Last Friday, Pacquiao filed his certificate of candidacy for president under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI), along with his running mate Rep. Lito Atienza. PROMDI, PDP-Laban, and People’s Champ Movement formed a coalition but it was unclear if they registered with Comelec.

Atty. Melvin Matibag, secretary general of Cusi’s wing, took Pacquiao’s bid under a different party as a sign the boxing icon “abandoned” PDP-Laban. Pacquiao’s recent actions were alleged grounds for automatic expulsion, according to Matibag, citing their constitution.

In a recent interview, Matibag also insisted that the latest move of Pacquiao “defies logic,” wondering why he chose to run under a minority party that is not as “strong and active” as national groups.

“Doon pa lang kung sinasabing ‘di sila confident, naniniguro sila eh. Mahirap naman ‘yun. Tindigan mo ‘yung partido mo. You’ve been saying may prinsipyo ka, ‘sa amin ang partido na ‘to,’ then you take the gamble ‘di ba? Ilaban mo ‘yan sa Comelec,” said Matibag on CNN Philippines.

If Comelec rules against them, Barbo stressed that Pacquiao would be willing to run as an independent candidate to push through with his campaign. But until that happens, their faction will continue representing PDP-Laban as the original members of the party.

Barbo, a senatorial aspirant, also pointed out that they are still the recognized party since they continue to receive notices from Comelec. It was unclear if Cusi’s camp also receives the same notices.

“PDP-Laban was invited (on some activities) and I was assigned as the vice chairman to attend. In other words, ang nire-recognize ng Comelec, kami,” claimed Barbo. “(If) Comelec says so na ‘hindi kayo, ang dapat i-recognize ay ‘yung nang-hijack na party,’ kaya nagplano si Manny as a matter of strategy.”

Cusi’s faction has already fielded Sen. Bong Go as the vice presidential bet but they have yet to pick a standard-bearer.

(PM)

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