PDP-Laban in Bohol faces leadership row

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – The provincial chapter of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Bohol has to resolve the leadership row between two members who both claimed to head the local chapter.

Bohol Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite and Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan both claimed to be chairman of the PDP-Laban Bohol.

Balite said on Friday that his appointment as PDP-Laban provincial chair was signed by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, national president of the ruling PDP-Laban, on Jan. 11.

But Dumaluan, a long-time member of the party, maintained that Balite’s appointment was void since there had been no party election since 2012.

“It has no effect. He was just appointed. He was not elected. I am the duly elected president of PDP-Laban Bohol,” said Dumaluan, who sits as the party’s deputy secretary general for Visayas.

“It’s fake. There is no such position as chairman. Being one rank higher than him, Balite should observe delicadeza, courtesy and decorum,” he added.

Balite said only death would stop him from running for congressman of Bohol’s 3rd district. He was expected to face former Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-Delos Reyes.

Balite also claimed that PDP-Laban has endorsed Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., former mayor of Maribojoc town, for governor.

There was no official announcement from Evasco.

According to Balite, Evasco, a member of Nationalist People’s Coalition, has a big chance of running under PDP-Laban.

Dumaluan said he was not against Evasco’s possible gubernational bid but the party should organize a party convention to clarify the ranks within the party and to conduct the nomination of candidates for the 2019 elections.

“Let us respect the party’s rules and let’s respect the democratic process which is one of the six principles of PDP,” said Dumaluan.

Dumaluan said Rep. Arthur Yap of Bohol’s 2nd district might run for governor in 2019.

“Kay duha man ang posible nga kandidato, mag-convention ta. Naay proseso nga subayon nato (Since there are two possible candidates, we should hold a convention. There is a process that we need to follow),” he said.

Yap took his oath as member of PDP-Laban together with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arooyo.

Dumaluan said Yap had paid P120,000 as party contribution but he had yet to take the basic membership seminar.