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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pimentel: July 17 PDP-Laban meeting still unauthorized even if Duterte shows up

Pimentel: July 17 PDP-Laban meeting still unauthorized even if Duterte shows up

Published Jul 15, 2021 01:58 pm

If President Rodrigo Duterte appears in the “unauthorized” meeting and assembly of the Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban, it would send a message that he is only following the lead and initiatives of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Thursday, July 15.

Pimentel made this remark as he renewed his call for the party members not to attend the July 16 and 17 event.

“That the President now follows the lead of Secretary Cusi as far as the party is concerned...that would be the meaning of that,” Pimentel said in an interview on CNN Philippines when asked what would Duterte’s possible appearance in the assembly would mean for the ruling political party.

Duterte is the chairman of the PDP-Laban while Pimentel is the executive vice chairman. Cusi, on the other hand, is the vice president, while Sen. Manny Pacquiao is the party’s president.

Despite being partymates, Pimentel and Pacquiao are now both at odds with Duterte and the camp of Cusi.

Pimentel said he has no qualms over the popularity of the president, whom he said is a charismatic person, is very popular and has a huge following.

But when it comes to the party, Pimentel said one should not keep the party president blind to details of such an event.

“There are rules to follow so if the most popular person in the party will attend the meeting which we have not recognized, it does not change the fact that we still do not recognize that meeting,” he reiterated.

Pimentel earlier tagged Cusi as the brains behind the “power grab” within the ruling political party which he and his father, the late Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. founded.

According to Pimentel, the timing of the said meeting and the supposed agenda to be taken up by Cusi and his group “are all a product of his mind.”

“The earlier moves that he also made.. to meet party mates , consult with them, call them to meetings—these are all the brainchild of Sec. Cusi,” he said reiterating that the Saturday meeting called for by Cusi would be devoid of any legal basis.

Related Tags

Alfonso Cusi May 2022 elections PH politics koko pimentel DUTERTE PDP-Laban
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