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Duterte to PDP-Laban: ’Unity now more important than ever’

Camille Elemia

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Duterte to PDP-Laban: ’Unity now more important than ever’
President Rodrigo Duterte makes the call days after he met with factions in the ruling party

MANILA, Philippines – Amid reported squabbling in the ruling party, President Rodrigo Duterte stressed the importance of unity within the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to help his administration pursue reforms.

The party chairman made the call at the first anniversary of PDP-Laban Cares, the party’s civic arm, at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) gymnasium in Pasay City on Wednesday, August 15.

“As we go for reforms in this administration, our unity is now more important than ever. I therefore ask the continued support of PDP-Laban and its partners in creating practical solutions to address [the] root cause of our nation’s problems,” Duterte said.

Party leaders led by Duterte rallied behind PDP-Laban Cares and stressed its importance in helping victims of natural and man-made disasters.

“I join you today in celebrating this milestone not just as country president but as party’s national chairman…. In times of disaster, calamities and conflict, PDP-Laban Cares has been among the government’s reliable partners in responding to those in need,” he said.

In his speech, Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez said the party has shown a “united front” in delivering assistance to Filipinos through PDP-Laban Cares.

“Your presence here tonight is the best exhibit of our united front,” the former House speaker said in his speech. “This commitment to continue caring is the clearest proof that we as a party remain strong as ever.” 

The President earlier met with the two factions of his party: the group headed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and another one by Duterte’s classmate, lawyer Rogelio Garcia. (READ: PDP-Laban struggles for unity, survival ahead of 2019 polls)

Garcia’s camp earlier held a national assembly where they elected “new” party officers but retained Duterte as chairman and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go as auditor. 

Pimentel, in turn, said Garcia’s group is composed of “expelled rogue members” and that necessary charges would be filed against them.

Another meeting is scheduled in September, ahead of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy and the Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for the 2019 elections.

Among those in the event were PDP-Laban vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, PDP-Laban Cares chair Kathryn Yu, Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles, Manila 6th District Representative Rosenda Ann Ocampo, former Batangas vice governor Mark Leviste, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. – Rappler.com

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Camille Elemia

Camille Elemia is a former multimedia reporter for Rappler. She covered media and disinformation, the Senate, the Office of the President, and politics.