Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can be the national council chairperson of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the leader of the ruling party’s faction bared on Friday.
“If she remains a member of the PDP-Laban, we are thinking of offering to her the position of National Council Chair,” Rogelio Garcia said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.
Garcia explained that it is the highest policy-making body of the party, which “sets their agenda” as well as the “thrust and directions of the party.”
He said their group has already requested for a courtesy call on Arroyo at her office to discuss the offer but the Speaker has yet to respond.
“Our group is requesting for a courtesy call from her office, no reply yet,” he said, explaining that the national chairman post, which President Rodrigo Duterte currently holds, is different from the national council chairperson seat.
On July 27, Garcia’s group held an assembly and elected their new national officers, booting out Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as president and secretary general, respectively.
The group also elected Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go as interim national auditor.
READ: PDP-Laban’s ‘genuine party members’ elect new execs; Bong Go is auditor
However, Pimentel had dismissed this assembly as unauthorized, and organized by “rogue” and “expelled” members “who will be dealt with in accordance with (their) party rules.”
READ: Koko Pimentel dismisses PDP chapter assembly
Duterte met with Pimentel and Garcia’s groups last Thursday night and the chief executive has vowed to strengthen the party for the 2019 polls, according to Pimentel.
READ: PDP-Laban faction leader felt ‘vindicated’ after Duterte recognizes them
Pimentel also said the President has set another “more formal” meeting between the two factions on Sept. 1. /vvp
READ: Duterte vows to strengthen PDP-Laban for 2019 polls