Boxing Icon Senator Emmanuel ‘’Manny’’ Pacquiao, acting president of the Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), has advised party members to ignore calls for a national assembly on May 31.
Pacquiao issued the statement in a letter to party officials and members to "strongly ignore’’ the letter of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, PDP-Laban vice chairman, calling for a national assembly.
President Duterte is the party chairman.
Pacquiao said the invitation letter is not sanctioned by authorized National Council officials and violates Section 4 and Section 5, Article XVI of the party Constitution which states that ‘’any call for a national council, assembly or meeting must be approved by both the Chairman and the President only.’’
‘’This is not the time for politics. Instead, let us help our country ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ Pacquiao said as PDP-Laban National president.
It was attested by party Executive Director Ronwald P. Munsayac.
Pacquiao has been criticized for openly chiding President Duterte for being soft on China which has been bullying the Philippines by sending more than 200 big militia vessels at the contested West Philippine Sea.
He had said he was proud when then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte told residents of Dagupan City during the 2016 presidential campaign that he would ride a ‘’jetski’’ and plant the Philippine flag in the contested maritime territory of Spratlys.
The PDP-Laban Bulacan chapter had issued a resolution denouncing Pacquiao for his criticisms against the President.
Replying, the Pacquaio faction issued a letter stating:
‘’While the party leadership under Sen. Pacquaio is cognizant of the various sentiments of our members, there is a process by which we must all adhere to before issuing public pronouncements that are detrimental to the interest of the party and its general membership. As a fellow Partymate, I lament the fact that you have issued this resolution and press statement without any actual fact-checking and proper verification of the full context of Senator Pacquaio’s narrative.’’
in mid-March, Pacquiao told Cusi not to divide the ruling PDP-Laban party ‘’for your own interest.’’
Pacquiao was reacting to reports that Cusi was going around the country consulting with their partymates regarding a resolution urging Duterte to run for the vice presidency in 2022.