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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Cusi camp 'mistaken' on expulsion claim vs Pacquiao, Pimentel says

Cusi camp 'mistaken' on expulsion claim vs Pacquiao, Pimentel says

Published Oct 2, 2021 05:45 pm

As far as the group of the Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III is concerned, there is nothing wrong with Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao running for presidency under the PROMDI, instead of his political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Senator Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao and Sen. Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)

Pimentel on Saturday, October 2, brushed aside criticisms from the group of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, about Pacquiao filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) with Cebu-based Probinsya Muna Development Inititiative (PROMDI) as his political party.

In an apparent swipe at Pacquiao, Melvin Matibag, secretary-general of the Cusi-led PDP-Laban faction, sent members of the media an excerpt of the PDP-Laban constitution, specifically the provision listing the grounds for the automatic expulsion of party members.

These included filing of COCs for any position "under the auspices of another political party".

The document was signed by former vice president Jejomar Binay, who was then PDP-Laban president, and Pimentel, as then secretary-general of the party.

Asked for a direct statement, Matibag instead said that Pimentel "was the one who drafted our constitution."

Sought for comment, Pimentel said Matibag was wrong for invoking the provision, and was not aware of the alliance between PROMDI and the PDP-Laban.

He also said that the two political parties were also part of the "MP3 Alliance" with the Pacquiao-founded People's Champ Movement (PCM), for the 2022 elections.

"These people are not aware of the terms of the MP3 Alliance -- alliance and cooperation agreement between PDP Laban, PROMDI, and PCM -- as well as of the National Executive Committee Resolution No. 12," Pimentel told the Manila Bulletin in a text message.

"Hence they came up with the conclusion that they wanted, which is mistaken," he added.

Still, Matibag maintained that Pacquiao already "abandoned" the PDP-Laban by declaring PROMDI as his political party in his COC.

"Let's call spade a spade. If that is not abandonment of PDP-Laban, I don't know what is," Matibag was reported saying in a statement later.

Pacquiao filed on Friday, October 1, his COC for the 2022 presidential race. His running mate would be House deputy speaker and BUHAY Party List Representative Jose "Lito" Atienza.

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who was nominated by Cusi's group as their standard bearer, on Saturday filed his candidacy for vice presidency, with President Duterte deciding to retire from politics after his term.

Cusi's camp has yet to respond to media queries about the unprecedented move.

Related Tags

Alfonso Cusi 2022 polls koko pimentel 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Manny Pacquiao PDP-Laban
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