Duterte to preside over PDP-Laban assembly on July 17 – party exec

President Rodrigo Duterte. MALACAÑANG PHOTO (File)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will preside over the PDP-Laban national assembly on July 17 that was initiated by the faction of ousted party vice-chairman Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, a party official said Wednesday.

“Ang nagpatawag na po mismo at ang magpe-preside sa national assembly ay ang chairman ng partido at yung pangulo,” PDP-Laban acting Secretary-General Melvin Matibag told reporters in an online interview, referring to Duterte.

(It is the party chairman and our president who calls for and preside over the national assembly.)

“The national assembly will be presided over by the President. There are personalities who will attend,” he added.

According to Matibag, strict security protocols will be in place during the event.

“Kahapon po nag-run through na ho kami, may mga briefing na po kami ginawa. Please expect na maraming security protocols that will be imposed by the PSG (Presidential Security Group),” he added.

(We did a run-through yesterday, we already did some briefings. Please expect that there will be a lot of security protocols that will be imposed by the PSG.)

Prior to the July 17 event, Matibag said there will be a national council meeting on July 16, which will have the same attendees from the Cebu meeting last May 31.

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

The July events will take place following Matibag and Cusi’s expulsion from PDPLaban for allegedly violating its constitution. Party president Senator Manny Pacquiao signed the resolution that kicked them out.

READ: PDP-Laban expels Cusi, 2 other execs for allegedly violating party rules

READ: Duterte recognizes Cusi’s leadership, to attend PDP-Laban meeting on July 17

The two never acknowledged their expulsion.

Pacquiao ouster looming?

There were earlier speculations that the July 17 event will be a venue to remove Pacquiao from his post as president of the party.

READ: No plot to oust Pacquiao as PDP-Laban president in July meeting — Nograles

Mattibag disagreed, saying that not only was this not the agenda of the assembly, but all party positions, including his, were subject to voting.

“Lahat po ng position [are at stake]. Kahit po ako, kasama ako sa pagbobotohan, kasi acting lang ako,” he added.

(All positions are at stake. Even mine, members will vote who they want for my position, because I’m only serving in an acting capacity.)

“Kung matanggal si Sen. Pacquiao, democratic process po ‘yun,” he added.

(If Sen. Pacquiao is removed, that will be the result of a democratic process.)