PARTY RIFT | PDP-Laban leaders ignore Pacquiao, push through with assembly next week

May 28, 2021 , 08:10 PM

(May 28, 2021) – Leaders of President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party ignored boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s protest and will push through with the national assembly next week to discuss the presidential elections next year, exposing divisions in the political organization seeking to stay in power beyond 2022.

The party’s vice chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, said the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will hold an assembly on Monday, openly defying a memorandum from the party president.

In a statement, Cusi said the agenda of the meeting remained crucial to the country’s collective effort against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He also banked on the concept of democratic processes in defending the assembly.

“We are aware that our terms of office are ending and we would like to examine what we have accomplished and what needs to be done,” said Cusi, adding the meeting could serve as a helpful platform “where fruitful and effective exchanges can be made.”

“Although a minority of our party mates are trying to discourage the participation of the members, we wish to reiterate that the assembly is part and parcel of the democratic process that every political party should embrace.”

Pacquiao, an eight-time world boxing champion, has dissuaded his colleagues from attending the assembly which Cusi called, saying the party should focus on helping the people affected by COVID-19. He also said any meeting without his approval was against their Constitution.

But another high-ranking party official said he was surprised on hearing Pacquiao’s memorandum because the meeting was properly coordinated with all the other officials.

PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary-General Melvin Matibag said around 30 governors and 50 congressmen have already confirmed their attendance at the meeting, showing the possibility that a quorum can be achieved for it to proceed.

“We are surprised because ang dami na ngang lingering issues within PDP-Laban, a lot of people are asking kung anong nangyayari, ang dami nang usapan sa TV at social media,” Matibag said. “I think it’s already time for us to sit down diba, mag-meeting kami, and address those concerns in preparation also for 2022 kasi it’s only 11 months to go, mag-e-eleksyon na.”

Members of PDP-Laban have been caught in the middle of the two leaders’ fight which may have started when some members signed a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president next year. Some party leaders disowned it.

Duterte, whose term is ending next year, is not eligible to run for a second term but he can choose to run for a lower position.

Rumors said he would run as vice president either with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, or his man Friday, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

PDP-Laban has not endorsed anyone for the top government post yet, but Pacquiao reportedly has plans to run for the presidency as well.

(Beatrice Puente/MM with reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)

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