Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12) — President Rodrigo Duterte “recognizes” the leadership of party vice chairman Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi despite the widening rift within the PDP-Laban, his spokesperson said Monday.
“All I can say is he recognizes Sec. Cusi’s leadership, that’s why he will attend the special meeting on July 17,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual briefing when asked about the PDP-Laban executive committee’s resolution expelling the energy chief and two other members due to “allegiance to another political party.”
READ: Pacquiao-led faction expels Cusi, 2 others from PDP-Laban
The July 17 special meeting in Clark called by Cusi “is in the calendar of the President,” Roque added.
Quoting Duterte, Roque said the ruling party will “resolve all existing disputes within PDP-Laban legally.”
Duterte is the chairman of the PDP-Laban. One faction is identified with Duterte while the other one is led by Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Koko Pimentel, son of the party’s co-founder, Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel.
The resolution, made known to the media last Friday, comes amid growing tension within the political party.
Pacquiao previously floated the possibility of him running for the presidency. Cusi, however, signified his openness to the 2022 pesidential candidacy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who belongs to another party.
“He is guilty of having allegiance to a candidate and her political ideals and party,” the resolution expelling Cusi read. “Such a candidate does not even believe in Federalism, her party fielded candidates against and opposed official candidates of PDP-Laban in the 2019 Elections, and she is vehemently opposed to joining the PDP-Laban Party.”
In May, Pacquiao also issued a memorandum “strongly” advising partymates to ignore a letter from Cusi, who called for a national assembly.
Pacquiao also also criticized Duterte’s stance on the West Philippine Sea, and alleged that corruption has worsened during his term.
READ: Duterte dares Pacquiao: Expose corrupt offices, individuals
