SEN. Robin Padilla has taken a leave as Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) president so he can focus on his job in the coming 20th Congress.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the PDP Laban said Davao City vice mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who is the party executive vice president, will take over Padilla’s post based on the rule of succession.
The office of Padilla, however, did not release further information when his leave took effect and up to when the action star-turned-politician’s leave will end.
In his letter to PDP-Laban vice chairman Alfonso Cusi, Padilla said that his role in the 2025 midterm elections demanded so much of his time and energy that he needed to take some time off from his responsibilities as party president.
He assured that he will remain a party member and stay “loyal to former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” the party chairman.
Padilla became PDP Laban president on July 24, 2024, replacing Palawan 2nd district Rep. Jose Chavez Alvarez.
PDP-Laban was a result of the merger between PDP, founded by the late Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. in February 1982; and Laban, which was founded by former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. The two parties aligned in 1983.
Former president Duterte ran under the PDP-Laban, which was then headed by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
