Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) — The ruling administration party sent different directive to its members about a supposed national assembly at the end of the month, further indicating possible cracks in the leadership.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, acting president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, directed party members to ignore the call for a national assembly on May 31 issued by party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
In a memorandum circular dated May 25, Pacquiao “strongly advised” members to disregard the letter sent by Cusi which violated the party constitution.
“Any call for a national council, assembly, or meeting must be approved by both the chairman and the president only,” he said. President Rodrigo Duterte is party chairman.
Pacquiao also wrote, “This is not the time for politics. Instead, let us help our country ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A divide within PDP-Laban became apparent in March after a number of members signed a petition urging Duterte to run for vice president in 2022. Pacquaio said the resolution, backed by Cusi, was unauthorized.
“‘Wag mong dini-divide ‘yung isipan ng mga miyembro ng partido para gamitin mo sa sariling interes,” Pacquiao had said in a media, apparently addressing Cusi.
“Linawin ko lang hindi ako nakikipag-away sa’yo.,” he added. “Pero ‘wag mo ‘ko awayin, hindi ako ‘yung tao na pwede mo lang laru-laruin.”
[Translation: Don’t divide our members for your self-interest. I just want to clarify that I’m not looking for a fight with you. But don’t fight with me, as I’m not the kind of person you can just take lightly.]
Pacquiao repeatedly asked party mates to focus first on the pandemic response before talking politics for next year’s polls.
