Senator Manny Pacquiao. File photo / Cesar Tomambo / Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao, president of PDP-Laban, gave his party mates a stern warning on Thursday: Follow the rules or leave.
“From now on, gusto kong ipaalam sa kanila, not in my time as president of the party, gusto ko silang turuan ng leksyon,” Pacquiao said over Teleradyo’s, “On the Spot.”
(From now on, I’m telling them, not in my time as president of the party. I want to teach them a lesson)
“I’m the president of the party and you must follow the rules and bylaws of the party,” he went on.
“Kung ayaw mo, di lumipat ka sa ibang partido. If you don’t want to follow the protocols and bylaws of the party then go ahead, lumipat ka ng ibang partido,” he added.
(If you don’t follow, then you can join other parties. If you don’t want to follow the protocols and bylaws of the party then go ahead, join other parties)
Pacquiao specifically directed his statement to party vice-chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and the other party mates, whom he is accusing of attempting to divide the party.
According to the senator, some party members were just using PDP-Laban, founded by former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., as a “stepping stone” for their own vested interests.
“Hangga’t ako ang presidente ng partido na ito Cusi , this is a warning to you, hanggat ako ang presidente nitong partido na ito, sumunod kayo sa bylaws, protocols ng partidoo, sumunod kayo,” Pacquiao stressed.
(As long as I’m the president of this party, Cusi, this is a warning to you, as long as I’m the president of this party, you must follow the bylaws, protocols of the party. You must follow)
Pacquiao claims he still has the support of the majority of members in the PDP-Laban party now being chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.