DAVAO CITY – Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) national chairman former President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced on Friday night, September 20, that the party will finalize its roster of candidates for the 2025 polls before and not later on October 8.

The former Chief Executive dropped the announcement after the party officially allied with three other political parties during the PDP National Assembly at the D’Leonor Inland Resort in Davao City. The alliance aimed to strengthen its position for the elections.

PDP-Laban joined forces with the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC), and Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma (Partido Reporma).

The agreement was officially signed by Greco Belgica, former chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and founder of the PDDS, and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez of the Partido Reporma. Duterte represented the PDP and stood in for MRRD-NECC.

THE Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) led by former President Rodrigo Duterte (center) holds its first national assembly in Davao City on Friday evening, September 20, attended by thousands of delegates from across the country. (Ivy Tejano)

“Election is just around the corner. We will fill in additional candidates and support them. We will raise the money. We’ll go on a shoestring budget. We will not ask for support from millionaires,” Duterte said, emphasizing that he will do his best to support PDP-Laban candidates.

PDP-Laban Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi said the agreement would enable their political party to accept nominations for more candidates from other parties until October 8. A special committee was formed to accept nominations from senatorial candidates of other parties.

Cusi said they will hold a screening for other nominees in the next few days. He also announced that PDP-Laban will keep the word “Laban” in the party’s official name to prevent technicalities with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the elections.

A PDP resolution to ally with other political parties was approved during its April National Meeting in Cebu City. At the assembly on Friday, PDP-Laban appointed their president, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, as campaign manager for their senatorial candidates.

PDP-Laban officially nominated Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and actor Philip Salvador as their senatorial bets for the 2025 polls. The three men accepted the nomination. Go and Dela Rosa are both up for reelection in the midterm polls.

Over 1,500 delegates from across the country attended the PDP National Assembly which brought political personalities and parties running in May.

PDP Secretary-General Aimee Torrefranca-Neri said the number of attendees in the assembly translates to 100 percent regional representation, 90 percent provincial representation, and 80 percent representation of national officers and committees.

The assembly is PDP's first national convention following the party's national council meeting at the Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City where the Duterte-Cusi faction dropped the "Laban" from its name and reverted to its original name PDP.

The assembly also approved a resolution inviting the former Chief Executive’s children, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Davao City first district Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte to the party.

Mayor Duterte welcomed the delegates and was named the party's executive vice president. He stood up for the elder Duterte and his two siblings in light of the accusations directed at them in the House of Representatives.

Mayor Duterte said that his father’s political rivals aim to tarnish his reputation. He criticized the House inquiry into alleged misconduct during the former Chief Executive’s anti-drug campaign and challenged the House to show how they spent public money.

Among those who arrived early in the assembly was suspended Cebu City Mayor and PDP-Laban Vice President Michael Rama. Notably missing was former party member Sen. Francis Tolentino, who earlier resigned over reported disagreements regarding South China policy.

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