RESOLUTION. A copy of the resolution passed by members of the PDP-Laban during their meeting in Cebu City on Monday (May 31, 2021). Members of the ruling party urged President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 elections. (Photo courtesy of OPAV)
CEBU CITY – An official of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has expressed hope for unity within the ruling party amid a perceived standoff among some of its leaders.
PDP-Laban held a National Council Meeting here on Monday, attended physically and virtually by at least 160 members composed of senators, Cabinet secretaries, governors, mayors, congressmen and other government officials.
The party's acting Secretary General Melvin Matibag, when asked whether there was a plan to replace Senator Manny Pacquaio as acting president, said the party has been “silent” on the issue, hoping for a unity in the party.
Pacquiao earlier discouraged members from participating in the meeting and questioned its validity. The meeting proceeded, however, presided by the party's vice chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and hosted by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino.
Matibag pointed out the party’s due process standing by its principle of “fairness” as Cusi advised for the withdrawal of the motion to oust a certain member or refer it to its legal committee for investigation.
PDP-Laban vice president for external affairs Raul Lambino said the meeting was legitimate with a “blessing” from President Rodrigo Duterte and its overwhelming attendance of over 160, when the quorum was just 63.
Duterte was not physically present in the meeting and only sent a recorded message, where he also urged the party members to unite.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, meanwhile, said the meeting was based on the constitution of the party.
The council agreed to propose to Duterte, being its chairman, to call for its next national meeting in Luzon on July 16, and its national assembly on July 17 to decide on the party leadership.
It is through a national assembly that new officers will be elected following the rules of the PDP-Laban. Currently, party-officers are on a hold-over capacity from their supposedly two-year term.
“I call on all of my partymates to stand together and remain united, not by personal interest but by our principles and values as we chart the future of our party and the rest of the nation,” Duterte said in his message.
Meanwhile, the National Council unanimously approved during the meeting a resolution, urging President Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 national elections.
Lambino revealed the party had received resolutions from various party chapters in the regions calling on the same.
With regard the choice of Duterte's running mate, Matibag said the party “trusts his wisdom”, being PDP-Laban's incumbent chairman who knows the principles and procedures of the party.
The council also adopted a resolution, urging Congress to further the President’s efforts against insurgency and communist terrorism through an expanded and institutionalized program on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
Another resolution was likewise passed to support Duterte’s socio-economic agenda.
Moving toward the national elections, Nograles said it is “incumbent for us, the PDP-Laban, to continue the reforms started by President Duterte.” (PNA)
