MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the group of Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Manny Pacquiao to answer the petition filed by the faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
In a two-page order, the Commission en banc directed the camp of the senators to comment on the petition which sought to declare their group as illegitimate.
“The Commission (En Banc) hereby directs the Respondents to file their answers within five days from receipt hereof via e-mail to the Clerk of the Commission ([email protected]) and furnish the Petitioners a copy thereof,” the poll body said in an order dated Sept. 22 and released on Thursday.
“Immediately after filing through e-mail, the same documents shall be sent in four hard copies to the Office of the Clerk of the Commission at the 8th Floor, Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, through the fastest means available, including registered mail or any courier service,” it added.
Both camps are claiming to be the legitimate leaders of the political party.
Earlier, the Cusi faction has proclaimed Senator Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte as its presidential and vice presidential bets, respectively, in the 2022 elections. Duterte has accepted the nomination while Go declined.
Meanwhile, the Pimentel camp declared Pacquiao as its presidential candidate. (PNA)
