Lines were clearly drawn at the PDP-Laban national assembly on Saturday, July 17. There can now be no doubt that President Rodrigo Duterte recognizes the faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and is challenging Senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao, and the party “originals” they represent.

In the same meeting, the Cusi group elected new officers, replacing Pimentel and Pacquiao, who took their oath in the presence of Duterte.

It seems inevitable that the groups will now have to legally settle who the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will recognize as PDP-Laban in the run-up to the filing of candidacies in October.

“We do not know what the other side will do. Maybe Koko is already typing a petition for Comelec,” said Duterte on Saturday.

He is fully expecting Pimentel to “fight nail and tooth” for the right to be called the real PDP-Laban.

Next month, on August 15, political parties must have submitted their Sworn Information Update Statement, which, among other things, lists down the party’s officers.

But now, there are two sets of officers. Which will the Comelec recognize? The officers with the backing of Pimentel, a founding member of the party, or the officers sworn in by Duterte himself?

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte promised he would bring “sacks of money” on the campaign trail when he promotes candidates of his political party PDP-Laban during national elections next year.

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President Rodrigo Duterte, whose presidential bid was made possible by PDP-Laban allowing him to run as their standard-bearer, said the party owes him a lot.

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The camp of senators Manny Pacquiao and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III denounced the “illegal” national assembly held by the administration-backed faction of ruling party PDP-Laban on Saturday, July 17.

Pimentel held a simultaneous Zoom meeting with some 100 chapter leaders nationwide, as well as other “bona fide and original grassroots members of the party.”

The founding member and son of the founder, the late Senate president Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr, reminded members to stay united behind the leadership of Pacquiao.

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For the first time, President Rodrigo Duterte directed disparaging remarks at Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III amid a rift in his political party PDP-Laban.

During the PDP-Laban national assembly on Saturday, July 17, which Pimentel boycotted, Duterte said it was the senator who made the mistake of naming Pacquiao as party president in his stead back in December 2020.

Duterte, whose presidential bid was made possible by PDP-Laban allowing him to run as their standard-bearer, also said the party owes him a lot.

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LOOK: President Duterte leads the oathtaking ceremony of PDP-Laban members.

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/85VSD7Qkty pic.twitter.com/wO0KTndDm5

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) July 17, 2021