PDP-Laban’s Cusi-led wing demands accounting of P100-M party funds

PDP Laban is seeking an accounting of party funds that are held by Evan Rebadulla, who was appointed by Senator Koko Pimentel. FILE PHOTOS / INQUIRER / SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — PDP-Laban’s Cusi faction has demanded an accounting of P100 million in party funds.

“PDP Laban has demanded an accounting of party funds that are in [possession] of Mr. Evan Rebadulla, a person appointed by Senator Koko Pimentel to supposedly act as party Treasurer,” PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said in an online interview with reporters.

“We call on Mr. Rebadulla to heed the party’s call. His obligation to account is a statutory obligation. We want to know who used our party’s funds and for what purpose,” he added.

As a result of this split, the Cusi faction has been at odds with the group identified with Pimentel and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

As the Pimentel-Pacquiao faction supposedly says that good-standing members should pay their dues, Matibag advised that accounting is necessary since those funds are a “huge amount.”

“They have been mentioning that we have 100,000 members and they’ve been saying that a member in good standing should be paying the membership dues, which is P1,000, so if it’s 100,000 members, then we’re looking at P100 million,” Matibag said.

Sought for comment, Pimentel said that a “Treasurer’s Report” will be given during the national assembly to be held by their group in September.

“Nasa agenda na po ‘yan ” (We have the issue on the agenda),” the senator said.

Meanwhile, on Sept. 8, the Go-Duterte ticket will be put up for a vote at the Cusi-led convention.

READ: PDP-Laban ‘endorses’ Bong Go-Rodrigo Duterte tandem for 2022 elections

abc