The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction supported by President Rodrigo Duterte and led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi will hold its national convention on Wednesday, September 8.
The convention, a mix of physical and online events, will finalize the presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial candidates of the ruling party.
The Cusi faction earlier endorsed Senator Bong Go and President Duterte as its presidential and vice presidential bets. While Duterte has accepted the nomination, Go had declined the endorsement. But as with anything in politics, nothing is final. Duterte and Go are both expected to physically attend the convention.
The other PDP-faction, led by potential presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao, will hold its own assembly later in September.
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WATCH: Duterte attends PDP-Laban Cusi faction national convention
The PDP-Laban national convention was supposed to be broadcasted live, but a representative told reporters that there were last-minute changes and that there would be no livestream for the event.
In an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag admits they don't have other plans yet, should Go decide not to be the standard-bearer of the party.
Members, supporters of PDP-Laban Cusi faction prepare for the National Convention
LOOK: Members, supporters of PDP-Laban Cusi faction prepare for the National Convention on Wednesday, September 8, at San Fernando, Pampanga. President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go are expected to attend the event. #PHVote#WeDecidehttps://t.co/PWdNKjrPGqpic.twitter.com/LjEyl8mi7C
PDP-Laban has previously announced these names as part of its senatorial slate: House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gringo Honasan, and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
According to party officers and insiders, others being considered are: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, Antique Representative Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, and Willie Revillame, among others
In August, President Rodrigo Duterte accepted his party’s endorsement to run for vice president in 2022 – a decision that did not come as a surprise.
Duterte himself had said that he would seek the vice presidency to avoid lawsuits. Lawyers and legal experts, however, debunked his claim and said only the president is immune from suit.
Duterte is set to attend PDP-Laban’s national convention Wednesday, September 8, in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to declare the camp of senators Manny Pacquiao and Aquilino Pimentel III as “illegitimate.”
Lawyer Antonio Zulueta filed the petition on Tuesday, September 7, a day before the Cusi faction’s hybrid national convention, which is happening in San Fernando, Pampanga, on Wednesday, September 8.
