The Philippines’ ruling party PDP-Laban held its national assembly on Saturday, July 17, as it was embroiled in a power struggle ahead of the 2022 presidential race that will elect President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor.
PDP-Laban on Saturday elected new officials – and ousted Senator Manny Pacquiao as party president.
Party chair Duterte himself presided over the national assembly in Clark, Pampanga, starting around 3 pm on Saturday.
The national assembly comes a day after the party’s national council meeting on Friday, July 16, where party members in the House of Representatives showed support for party vice chair Alfonso Cusi, whom Pacquiao had “expelled.”
The camp of Pacquiao and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, PDP-Laban executive vice chairman and son of founder Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr, have refused to recognize these supposedly rogue activities.
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President Duterte speaks at PDP-Laban national assembly
President Duterte now speaking at PDP-Laban national assembly.
Pacquiao releases statement after his ouster as PDP-Laban president
(2) “Kung sa tingin nila Cusi at iba pa na mas importante ang politika sa ngayon, bahala na sila. Sa huli, isa lang naman ang tanong na dapat sagutin. Sino ba ang sasamahan ng taong bayan?” @rapplerdotcom
Party vice chair Alfonso Cusi has long declined to use the term “oust” to describe what was expected to happen at the Saturday meeting, insisting that the election of new officers is being done in accordance with party rules.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, currently in the United States for his boxing match with Errol Spence Jr., does not recognize the ongoing meeting.
There have long been some members in the party who never recognized Pacquiao as party president.
It was PDP-Laban stalwart Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III who had given his post of party president to Pacquiao in December 2020. But the faction led by Cusi and National Transmission Corporation president Melvin Matibag (party secretary general) felt it was unfair for Pimentel to just appoint Pacquiao without going through the process.
PDP-Laban to wait for Duterte’s arrival, says secretary-general Matibag
PDP-Laban sec-gen Melvin Matibag says session is currently suspended as they wait for the arrival of Pres Duterte to “witness” the election of new officers @rapplerdotcompic.twitter.com/tuP7vLImgf
PDP-Laban is set to hold the election of new national officers, including:
President
Executive Vice President
VP for Luzon
VP for Metro Manila
VP for Visayas
VP for Mindanao
Secretary-General
Treasurer
Auditor
National Committee Chair
Membership Committee
Education Committee
Finance Committee
Legal Affairs and Arbitration Committee
Public Information Committee
Livelihood Committee
Youth Affairs Committee
