Matibag quits as PDP-Laban’s Secretary General
PDP-Laban faction Secretary General Melvin Matibag during his oath-taking as acting Cabinet Secretary before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Former acting Cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag has given up his post as PDP-Laban secretary general.
He confirmed his decision to quit in a message on Friday.
When asked by INQUIRER.net whether or not it is true that he resigned from his PDP-Laban position, he replied in the affirmative.
Rumors of Matibag’s resignation started floating earlier.
A source, who asked not to be named, sent to INQUIRER.net a copy of Matibag’s resignation.
It was submitted to PDP-Laban chair and former president Rodrigo Duterte through party president and Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez.
Matibag did not reveal why he was quitting.
He thanked the party for allowing him to help steer the political organization to its current direction.
“I am forever grateful for [the] trust and confidence you have bestowed to me as the party’s secretary-general,” Matibag said in the letter received by PDP-Laban on Friday.
“I believe I have shown my loyalty to you as Chairman by helping to steer the party in the direction you have taken, especially during the national elections of 2019 and 2022,” he noted.
“I apologize for the apparent inopportuneness of my resignation,” he said.
“However, I will always be available to give assistance to ensure smooth and seamless transfer of my duties and responsibilities,” he added.
Matibag was appointed by Duterte as acting cabinet secretary last March 2022 — late into the former president’s term.
He replaced Karlo Nograles, who was appointed chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
READ: Duterte names PDP-Laban faction exec as acting Cabinet secretary
Matibag was part of the PDP-Laban faction under former Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi, who feuded with Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel’s wing.
In 2022, Cusi’s side endorsed the candidacy of the eventual winner, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., while Pimentel’s faction supported former Senator Manny Pacquiao’s bid.
READ: PDP-Laban wing exec hoping Duterte would personally endorse
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