PDP-Laban faction leader felt ‘vindicated’ after Duterte recognizes them

The leader of a Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction on Friday said they felt “vindicated,” claiming President Rodrigo Duterte has “recognized the existence” of their group with “valid and legitimate issues.”

Rogelio Garcia, elected president of the ruling political party faction, said although Duterte recognized their group, he also advised them to “continue (their) dialogue in order to find solutions to the problems confronting the party.”

The faction ousted Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on July 27.

“What PRRD (Duterte’s initials) told us is to continue our dialogue in order to find solutions to the problems confronting the party, that practically was his message, no more no less and that the timeline is between now and Sept. 1,” Garcia said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

For him, Duterte’s message was clear: “He recognizes our existence as a group with valid and legitimate issues when he said we shall continue to have a dialogue to find solutions to problems.”

Garcia said this was a “victory” for their group, as this proved that were “not fake, rogue and expelled members.”

“A vindication of sorts,” he said.

Duterte met with Pimentel and Garcia’s groups on Thursday night and vowed to strengthen the party for the 2019 polls.

READ: Duterte vows to strengthen PDP-Laban for 2019 polls

Two weeks ago, Garcia’s group held an assembly and elected their new national officers, booting out Pimentel and Alvarez.

The group also elected Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go as interim national auditor.

However, Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban, had dismissed this assembly as unauthorized, and organized by “rogue” and “expelled” members “who will be dealt with in accordance with our party rules.”   /vvp