Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has denied the appeal of Sen. Koko Pimentel and losing 2022 presidential bet Manny Pacquiao for the poll body to reconsider its decision on who’s the legitimate faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party.
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The resolution announced on Friday comes eight months after Pimentel and Pacquiao filed their motion for reconsideration. It affirmed the May 6, 2022 ruling of the Comelec’s Special Second Division, which favored the PDP-Laban wing headed by former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
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READ: Comelec recognizes Cusi faction as legitimate PDP-Laban wing
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The division had recognized as valid the meetings and elections conducted by the Cusi faction, which was chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
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READ: Cusi named as new PDP-Laban president in Duterte-led assembly; Pacquiao faction questions legality
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“The en banc did not find novel issues to be tackled and found no cogent reason to disturb the decision of the Comelec Special Second Division,” the poll body said in a statement.
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In a text message, Pimentel said they will raise the matter to the Supreme Court.
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The Cusi faction, meanwhile, said it is “elated” by the ruling.
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PDP-Laban was founded by Nene Pimentel Jr., Koko’s father, in 1982 to challenge the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos – the current president’s father and namesake – and his ruling party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.
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