Pimentel on PDP-Laban’s bid for speakership: Defiant members will be kicked out

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the ruling PDP-Laban who would defy its choice for Speaker of the House of Representatives would be kicked out from the party.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, president of PDP-Laban, issued this warning on Tuesday.

Pimentel said the party will nominate to its 80 members in the House three candidates for Speaker —former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

Party members will choose one from the three nominees.

“We will have rules on how to choose,” he said in an interview at the Senate.

“Kung merong magrereblede (If someone will rebel), we have to kick them out of the party. Strikto na kami ngayon (We are strict now),” Pimentel said.

However, Pimentel said the party has yet to agree on the selection process.

“Kung maka agree kami na this is the process, kung sino ang mapili, dapat sumunod. Yung hindi susunod will have to face disciplinary measures (If we agree that this is the process, everyone should follow, or they will face disciplinary measures),” he stressed.

READ: PDP-Laban set to regain speakership

In the Senate, Pimentel said none of the five PDP members, including three incoming senators, have expressed interest to challenge the present leadership of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The five are Pimentel, incumbent Senator Manny Pacquiao, presumptive senators Ronaldo dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Bong Go.

“So far, in all honesty, no one has so far expressed interest to become Senate President or even an officer of the Senate,” said Pimentel, who relinquished his post to Sotto in May 2018. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

READ: Pimentel bows out; nominates Sotto as next Senate president