The candidates of the warring factions of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) were given an opportunity to use the party name on the ballot for the May 2022 polls.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said this is a "temporary accommodation" as their case is still unresolved.
"Right now, it has been put on status quo. This is why we have nobody declared as independent from their competing slates. They are both given the opportunity to use the party name," Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay online forum Wednesday, Jan. 26.
"It was not settled. There was a delay (in resolving). There has been a temporary accommodation," he added.
Jimenez explained that the issue involving PDP Laban is more complicated and because the elections is already near.
The camps of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Senator Manny Pacquiao, who are both claiming to be the legitimate leaders of the political party, submitted their Sworn Information Update Statement (SIUS) with the Comelec for the May 2022 polls.
The SIUS is a requirement of the Comelec to every registered political parties containing the full name of the party, headquarters address, list of current officials, list of elected members, and list of members, among others.
The Cusi wing also filed a petition asking the poll body to declare the Pacquiao faction as illegal representatives of PDP-Laban.