President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Koko Pimentel. FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has no reaction to his ouster as chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan as he believes he is still the chairperson of the political party, Malacañang said Wednesday.
The PDP-Laban has elected Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as its new party chairman, replacing the President.
However, the party has been split into two factions, one of which is led by Pimentel as well as Senator Manny Pacquiao and the other led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
The split came as the two factions aim to support different candidates in the 2022 elections.
“Wala po [Nothing],” Roque said in a Palace briefing when asked what was the President’s reaction to his ouster as party chairman.
“Sa pananaw ng Presidente, nananatili siyang chairman. Kinakailangan talaga na mapagdesisyunan ito ng Korte Suprema at alam ‘yan ng Presidente,” he added.
(In the President’s point of view, he is still the chairman. This should be decided by the Supreme Court and the President knows that.)
The Cusi faction of PDP Laban has endorsed President Duterte as their candidate for vice president in the 2022 elections. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has been reported to be gearing up to run for president.