FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte remained chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) while Palawan Rep. Jose “Pepito” Alvarez and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi were elected as president and vice president, respectively during the party’s national assembly yesterday.
But Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, who leads the other faction together with former senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, said: The original PDP Laban does not recognize any unauthorized election. We have our own set of party officers.”
The Commission on Elections in May recognized the PDP Laban wing under Duterte over Pimentel’s faction, and declared it the dominant majority party in the May elections.
The former President presided over the election of the party officers which coincided with the National Assembly and the commemoration of the PDP-Laban’s 40th anniversary.
Duterte said they are not strengthening ts party to go against President Marcos Jr. but is instead committed to support the current administration.
