Party exec claims Pacquiao-Pimentel faction sent money to PDP-Laban grassroots groups

Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Manny Pacquiao President Duterte —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Deputy Secretary-General Melvin Matibag claimed Monday that the group of Senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao sent money to the party’s grassroots organizations for them to hold their own event last weekend.

In a press briefing, Matibag said he has received reports and phone calls regarding the money sent to the PDP-Laban’s grassroots groups, which allegedly came from Pacquiao and Pimentel’s group.

To recall, Pimentel and several other grassroots members of the PDP-Laban held an event on Saturday, simultaneous with the national assembly organized by the group of newly installed party president, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, to express support towards Pacquiao’s party leadership.

“We have received reports from the grounds na ‘yung grupo nila Senator Pimentel and Senator Pacquiao (is) sending money so that they will organize yung mga grassroots na sinasabi para may lumabas na may tao pero this is a political party,” Matibag said.

“So sana wag na ganun. Tumawag sakin mismo yung iba na, ‘ayoko na lang ho banggitin kung sino yung nagpadala mismo ng pera para mag-organize at sabayan ‘yung event ng July 17,’” he added.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Matibag said they are investigating the issue further.

Matibag also argued that while the PDP-Laban Constitution recognizes grassroots members, it does not provide for the creation of grassroots organizations within the party.

‘We’re not the well-funded side’

When asked for a comment on the allegation, Pimentel’s kept his answer short: “I don’t think we are the well-funded side.”

Meanwhile, PDP-Laban executive director Ron Munsayac, who is identified with the Pacquiao-Pimentel faction, denied that money changed hands to sway the grassroots groups against joining the national assembly.

Munsayac, instead, turned the tables on Matibag by asking how much they spent on their two-day national council meeting and assembly.

“Wag naman sana nila insultuhin mga miymembro ng PDP Laban lalo na mga nasa baba. Porket ba sila ang nakaupo at makapangyarihan, minamata na lang kami na kaya bayaran,” Munsayac told INQUIRER.net.

“To be honest, walang masyadong pera ang partido. We only get our funds from membership fees. Sino ba ang mga nakaupo ngayon? Hindi ba sila? Magkano ginastos nila sa 2-day evenit nila? Paano naman namin mababayaran mga libo-libong miyembro nag tipon-tipon para suportahan ang aming party president?” he added.

Munsayac likewise reminded PDP-Laban members that the party is a grassroots-based political party.

“Unlike the political party where they came from na pa puro pulitiko and political appointees lang pinapakinggan, the PDP Laban gives voice and balances the interests of our elected and grassroots members. In fact, 95% of our members belong to the grassroots,” Munsayac said.

“If they can’t value the majority of our members, sana bumuo na lang sila ng sariling partido nila kesa sirain pa yun matagal na namin minahal at binuo. We actually don’t mind returning to a ‘jeepney-sized’ party as long as our principles are intact,” he added.

Pimentel and other “original” members of PDP-Laban have said that the national assembly held over the weekend was “illegal.” The national assembly was held as what appears to be two factions—one with Pacquiao and Pimentel, and the other with Cusi—continue to clash.

During the assembly, Pacquiao was ousted as party president and was replaced by Cusi.

EDV