The PDP-Laban (Pimentel wing) on Friday, Jan. 21 chided its rival, PDP-Laban (Cusi wing) for deciding to adopt Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as its vice presidential bet, saying that it demonstrated its leaders’ “desperation to hold to power”.
Assailing the group of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as “PDP-Laban usurpers”, PDP-Laban (Pimentel wing) vice president and senatorial aspirant Lutgardo Barbo noted that Mayor Duterte had already rejected the faction “many times” as she declared in a number of public pronouncements before and even after she decided to seek the vice presidency.
At the same time, Barbo stressed that the “real and genuine PDP-Laban” is pushing for the candidacy for vice president of Deputy Speaker and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza.
“This announcement of the PDP Laban usurpers that they are adopting Mayor Sara Duterte's Vice Presidential candidacy shows their desperation to hold to power,” said Barbo in the party statement.
The PDP-Laban (Pimentel wing) is jointly headed by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Aquilino Pimentel III.
Pacquiao has been declared official candidate for presidency of the group although the country’s boxing icon filed his certificate of candidacy for PROMDI party.
“Mayor Duterte has rejected them many times and has even made pronouncements throwing insults to the party which used to be chaired by her father President Duterte,” the presidential aspirant stated.
He added: “Pakapalan na lang talaga sila ng mukha para manatili sa poder. (They are truly thick-skinned as they bid to remain in power).
In a statement issued immediately after the Cusi wing announced its adoption of Duterte, Lakas-CMD which is headed by the Davao City mayor as party chairperson, issued a press statement welcoming the PDP-Laban faction’s decision.
Barbo said their organization is endorsing Atienza for its vice presidential bet.
As far as the real and genuine PDP Laban is concerned, our Vice-presidential candidate is former Manila Mayor and now Congressman Lito Atienza and our Presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao,” he said.
The former Eastern Samar governor added: “Matagal nang Pacquiao-Atienza ang PDP Laban sa simula pa lang because we are a disciplined party with a clear vision and program of government. (The Pacquiao-Atienza team has been PDP-Laban’s bet right from the very start...).”