‘Undisciplined’ PDP-Laban members face sanction — Pimentel
MANILA, Philippines — “Undisciplined” members of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will be sanctioned, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said Wednesday.
Pimentel made the statement following the claims of outgoing Minority Leader and Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez that several members of the ruling party have pledged support for incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party for the House speakership post.
This, despite having three other House speakership aspirants who are members of the PDP-Laban — Davao del Norte and former House speaker Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez; Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco; and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
“Undisciplined party members will be sanctioned. It is time to put value and discipline to party membership,” Pimentel said in a text message.
Pimentel, however, has yet to detail the sanction that will be imposed on the party members that will go against the decision of PDP-Laban as to who they will support for the House speakership post.
READ: Many PDP-Laban solons vow to support Romualdez’s speakership bid — Suarez
Pimentel also dismissed Suarez’ claims as “psychological warfare.”
“Part of psy war lang ‘yan,” Pimentel said.
The party president on Tuesday night had a dinner meeting with Alvarez, Velasco, and Gonzales at the residence of Senator Manny Pacquiao in Makati City to discuss the speakership bid.
Pimentel said the meeting was “nice,” and “very friendly with great camaraderie.”
The PDP-Laban president said Pacquiao would be the one to announce the decision of the party.
“I have designated Sen Manny Pacquiao to be the authorized person to announce the PDP LABAN nominee for House Speaker. He will do so after following an agreed-upon process. Beginning tonight, Sen Pacquiao is now the person in charge of announcing the party’s choice,” Pimentel said in a text message following the dinner meeting.
READ: Pacquiao to announce PDP-Laban bet for speakership – Pimentel
Pimentel earlier said PDP-Laban, chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, won 80 seats in the 18th Congress. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)
