PDP-Laban Mindanao members vows independence from national leadership

Mindanao-based members of the PDP-Laban have passed a resolution expressing their intent to be independent from the national leadership of the ruling administration party.

In a statement issued Monday, the group said its members would exercise “the organizational and administrative management of the party in Mindanao until such time that the unconstitutional actions of the national officers are put to a stop and all the violations committed in the past are rectified.”

Among the signatories were Cesar Ledesma, co-founder of the party; Cesar Cuntapay, president of the Mindanao Area Council (MAC); Rogelio Garcia, Region 12 council president and former labor undersecretary during the first Aquino administration.

The MAC stressed that it had made several attempts to hold a dialogue with the national officers to discuss issues and problems, but they were not given due attention.

But still, Cuntapay said they would continue “to give their support and confidence” to the leadership of President Rodrigo R. Duterte as national chairman of PDP-Laban.

Earlier, Cuntapay filed a libel complaint against House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP-Laban secretary general for calling him “may katok” or “mentally deranged.”

Alvarez shrugged off the complaint saying: “Susmariosep, huwag niyo na patulan yan.” /atm