Baste Duterte takes over PDP Laban presidency as Robin Padilla goes on leave

Metro Manila, Philippines - Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, executive vice president of PDP Laban, took over as party president after Senator Robin Padilla went on leave.

In a statement on Monday, June 16, PDP Laban said Padilla took a leave as the party president to prioritize his legislative duties after campaigning for the party’s senatorial slate.

He said the May midterm polls demanded a lot of his time and energy.

“Layunin ko pong ituon ang aking atensyon sa aking tungkulin bilang senador, lalo na sa paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng 20th Congress,” he said in a letter to PDP Laban vice chairman Alfonso Cusi.

[Translation: My goal is to focus my attention on my duties as a senator, especially in preparing for the 20th Congress.]

Part of the next Congress’ agenda is the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Senate, convening as an Impeachment Court, will tackle the accusations against the vice president including graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust. Padilla will sit as a senator-judge.

In leaving as party president, Padilla assured his fellow PDP Laban members that he remains loyal to their chairman, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the father of the vice president and the Davao vice mayor.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.