Pimentel denies taking a leave as PDP-Laban head, hits UNA

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III denied Wednesday that he has taken his leave as president of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

It was JV Bautista, United Nationalist Alliance spokesperson, who said Pimentel has taken a leave of absence from PDP-Laban.

In an interview, Bautista said Vice President Jejomar Binay, as chairman of PDP Laban, would take over all responsibilities left by Pimentel.

“That’s not true,” Pimentel said when sought for reaction Wednesday night. “I’m wondering where he got his information about this and to tell the public about that.”

“I deny the statement, it has no legal and factual basis,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said that he had not spoken to Bautista about the issue and that he maintained the support of his party mates.

UNA has announced that former senators Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon have been included in the senatorial slate of coalition.

In a phone interview Wednesday, JV Bautista, said the two senators had been officially named last Tuesday night.

UNA is a coalition of Binay’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Asked about the formal announcement on Senator Loren Legarda’s inclusion in the slate, Bautista said they would be making a high-profile announcement but that “for all intents and purposes, she is already part of the slate.”