‘Party rift’? PDP-Laban holds national council meeting in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) pushed through with its national party assembly on Monday even as some of its key members questioned the event’s legitimacy.

The national council meeting was held in Cebu City with party members attending physically or online—even as Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is the president of the party, earlier discouraged members from participating in the national assembly called by party vice-chairman Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez, a member of PDP-Laban, told INQUIRER.net that among those that will be discussed during the assembly are the party’s direction, accomplishments, and other related reports.

But according to the memorandum issued by Pacquiao on May 27, the invitation letter for the national assembly “is not sanctioned by Authorized National Council officials and violates Section 4 and Section 5, Article XVI, Constitution of the PDP Laban.”

Furthermore, the memorandum stressed that any call for a national council, assembly or meeting is subject to the approval of both Pacquiao and the party chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, only.

Nonetheless, the Palace itself has said that it was Duterte himself who directed Cusi to convene the national assembly.

“This move, which is part of the democratic exercise, aims to consult party members and have fruitful and productive exchanges on issues affecting PDP-Laban,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

JE