Marcos Jr. camp slams ‘impostor’ Partido Federal faction for endorsing Isko Moreno

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER file photos

MANILA, Philippines — The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) faction headed by presidential candidate former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday condemned the party’s other wing endorsement of Manila mayor Isko Moreno’s chief executive bid.

In a statement, Tom Lantion, the national secretary-general of Marcos Jr’s PFP faction, called the chairman of the other PFP faction — Abubakar Mangelen — an “impostor.”

“The legitimate and accredited PFP national directorate, PFP officers’ men and women members vehemently condemn in strongest terms the irresponsible fake announcement of an impostor Mangelen about PFP’s support transferring to Isko,” Lantion said.

Lantion also said that their party’s general counsel and legal officer will file a case of usurpation and other charges against Mangelen.

Mangelen, who is also a commissioner of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, announced his endorsement of  Moreno’s candidacy before the grand rally at Iligan City Public Plaza in Lanao del Norte on Wednesday.

It can also be recalled that Mangelen filed a disqualification case against Marcos Jr. before the Commission on Elections. The petition, which was included in the consolidated cases, has since been dismissed by the poll body.

Marcos Jr., who is the standard bearer of the PFP, took his oath as the party’s chairman before he filed his candidacy for president in October last year.

The PFP was established by former Agrarian Reform chief John Castriciones in 2018.

Castriciones is now included in Isko Moreno’s senatorial ticket.

JPV