Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The standard bearer-less Duterte-led faction of the supposedly dominant PDP-Laban is asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reopen the filing of certificates of candidates for the 2022 national elections.
PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has filed before the polling body a petition to reopen the period of filing of COCs, saying the Comelec “cannot and should not” proceed with printing of ballots while several cases on candidates and party-lists are still pending.
They claimed that everyone “will benefit” from the petition and that it should be “intently considered” by the polling body.
“The party believes that the Comelec should re-open and allow the filing of COC’s for national and local candidates in view of the fact that it cannot, and should not, proceed with printing of ballots for the 2022 elections while several cases affecting candidates and party-lists are still pending before it,” PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said in a statement.
“We are asking the Comelec to review its self-imposed deadlines in the interest of the electorate. This petition will benefit everyone and should be intently considered by the Commission,” he added.
The supposedly dominant political party is currently at odds as two groups claim sole ownership of the group: one faction led by Cusi and another led by presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The Cusi wing has a pending petition before the Comelec to declare the Pacquiao faction as “illegitimate.”
The Duterte-led faction currently has no standard-bearer for the 2022 elections after two of their supposed presidential candidates — Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go — withdrew their COCs.
Meanwhile, in light of the petition, Pacquiao was forced to file his presidential bid under another party, the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Promdi.
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