PDP-Laban leadership dispute: Pacquiao group’s September meeting illegal, says Matibag

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Senator Manny Pacquiao (FILE PHOTOS / INQUIRER / SENATE PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The planned Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) meeting of the group of Senator Manny Pacquiao is illegal, party deputy Secretary General Melvin Matibag said Monday.

In a press briefing, Matibag said only the party president can call for a national council meeting in coordination with the party chairman.

“Illegal yun kung sila ay gagawa ulit na mag-elect o pumili ng kandidato kasi ang national assembly, ang nagpapatawag lang niyan is ang national council na ipinatawag ng chairman ng partido,” Matibag said.

The group of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier held a national council meeting and a national assembly amid what appears to be two factions within the ruling PDP-Laban.

During the Cusi-led national assembly meeting in Clark, Pampanga, attended by party chairman President Rodrigo Duterte, Pacquiao was replaced as party president.

He was replaced by Cusi.

President Duterte during the PDP-Laban national assembly in Pampanga (PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS)

The Pacquiao-Pimentel group, however, said that the national assembly organized by Cusi was illegal.

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