Pacquiao-led boycott call a ‘minority’–Cusi

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Saturday belittled calls to boycott PDP-Laban’s first national council assembly since the pandemic began on Monday, saying those opposed to the meeting were a “minority” within the ruling party.

He said the assembly was intended to support President Rodrigo Duterte and his programs in the last year of his six-year term.

In a statement, Cusi, the party vice-chairman, said the meeting in Cebu City was also intended to consult with members on “how to support the President’s agenda as he enters his last year in office.”

He released the statement after party president Sen. Manny Pacquiao issued a memorandum directing PDP-Laban members to “ignore” the call for an assembly.

Pacquiao’s spokesman said he would not be attending the meeting.

Pacquiao said calling for the party’s national assembly must be approved by its chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, and him as party president.

In an earlier statement Friday, Cusi said the Cebu meeting was important because that would help them examine what the party had accomplished and what still “needs to be done.” 

“The composition of the PDP-Laban National Council shows that it is a body where fruitful and effective exchanges can be made. This is particularly important in the light of our collective effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cusi had said.

Still, Cusi said the PDP-Laban remained united, despite conflicting views between him and Pacquiao.

“We wish to reiterate that the assembly is part and parcel of the democratic process that every major political party should embrace. I would like to reassure the people that our party remains united and committed to serve and accomplish the President’s socio-economic agenda.”

In March, Pacquiao warned Cusi not to sow division within the ruling party after the energy chief and his allies allegedly pushed Duterte to run for vice president in the upcoming elections.

“I am not the kind of person you can toy with. This is simply a warning: I am not fighting with you. I want us to become friends,” Pacquiao said in a press conference two months ago.

“Do not go back on your word that we should set aside politics and help our people first. Do not divide the minds of our partymates just to further your own interest. If you are going around to help our people, I will applaud you.”

“But if you go around talking about politics – don’t do that. Do not poison the minds of our party-mates to cause a division,” said the senator, whom political observers said would likely seek the presidency in next year’s polls.

Cusi, for his part, said partymates who attended a consultative meeting in Manila on March 8 agreed to execute and sign a resolution supporting Duterte as the PDP-Laban’s vice presidential bet next year.

“The common sentiment is continuity of service. It was instinctive on the part of the members because of their recognition that the pandemic and the natural disasters that converged in 2020 unreasonably interrupted the economic programs and infrastructure projects of the administration,” Cusi said in a statement.

“They were mindful of the past lessons wherein transition of power from one president to the next resulted in change of policies and directions, thus resulting in unfinished and unfulfilled projects, causing disservice to the Filipino people,” he added.