By Christine Fabro
President Rodrigo Duterte led the oath-taking of the newly-elected officers and members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), as well as the renewal of oath of former members, in PDP-Laban’s National Assembly at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga on Saturday (July 17).
President Duterte, as the party Chairman, urged his party-mates to remain focused on their mission of uplifting the quality of life of the Filipino people, especially now that the nation is still grappling with challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Considering the magnitude of the responsibility that awaits the next batch of the elected officials in the 2022 elections, we must remain focused on how to continue the reforms that we have instituted in the last five years,” Duterte said.
He reminded the Party to not be blinded by their own ambitions and prohibit each member to use the Party for their personal interests.
During the party’s national assembly, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was elected as PDP-Laban’s new president, replacing Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, the other newly-elected party leaders are the following:
- Executive Vice President (EVP) – Cabinet Sec. Carlo Nograles
- VP for NCR – Edwin Olivarez
- VP for Luzon – Raul Lambino
- VP for Visayas – Ben Evardone
- VP for Mindanao – Charito Plaza
- National Treasurer – Rianne Cuevas
- Auditor General – Senator Bong Go
- Secretary General – Melvin Matibag
Committee Chairpersons:
- Membership – Astravel Naik
- Education – Noel Felongco
- Finance – Antonio Kho
- Legal – Richard Nethercot
- Public Information – Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya
- Livelihood – Reymar Mansilungan
- Youth Affairs – Maria Katrina Nicole Contacto
Party election ‘illegal’
The PDP-Laban National Headquarters denounced the Cusi-led national assembly and described the elections of its new officers as a “farce, illegal and not sanctioned by the general membership”.
Senator Koko Pimentel expressed his confidence and said that many PDP-Laban grassroots still support Pacquiao’s leadership.
“Tayo po ay may hinaharap na pagsubok ngayon sa ating partido kaya ang importante ay manatili po tayong malakas at magtiwala sa liderato ng ating partido sa ilalim ng ating presidente na si Senator Manny Pacquiao. Huwag po tayong mag-alala kasi ang talaga ipinaglalaban namin dito ay yung boses po ng ating mga chapter members at buong bansa,” Pimentel said.
Other party grassroots also said they do not recognize the proceedings and the actions taken in the Clark assembly.
According to Pimentel, the Pacquiao-led national council assembly of the PDP-Laban will happen in September. – rir
