Logo of Lakas-CMD political party (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) on Friday said it respects and understands Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s reason for leaving the political party. It even thanked her for her service.
“We thank Vice President Sara Duterte for the services she rendered to our party, the Lakas-CMD, as Party Chair, and for helping us build a Unity Team aimed at bringing meaningful change to Philippine society. As we respect her decision, we understand her reason for leaving the political party,” Lakas-CMD Secretary General Rep. Joboy Aquino said without specifying Duterte’s reason for resigning.
“We also support her call for all political leaders to unite in support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and for all of us to work for the success of this administration for the benefit of our people,” he added.
READ: Lakas-CMD elects new national officers, members
Earlier Friday, Duterte announced her resignation from the party. She did not explain her action, but she mentioned that her leadership “cannot be poisoned by political toxicity” or “undermined by political power play.”
READ: Sara Duterte resigns from Lakas-CMD
A day before, Lakas-CMD chairman emeritus former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a congresswoman, was demoted from senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker in the House of Representatives.
READ: Sudden demotion: Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo loses ‘senior’ House rank
According to House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, removing Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Arroyo as senior deputy speaker was meant to “unburden” her of the “heavy load of the position.”
READ: Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo replaced as senior deputy speaker
But Arroyo, a known close ally of Duterte, issued a statement denying speculations of her plotting a coup at the House, saying her actions may have been “misconstrued.”
READ: Arroyo breaks silence: My actions were misconstrued, I was accused of staging House coup
To recall, Arroyo became the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2018, replacing Pantaleon Alvarez, who was ousted in an alleged coup in which Vice President Duterte, who was then Davao City mayor, reportedly played a key role.
