Malacañang delivered a blow to Senator Manny Pacquiao Sunday as it upheld the executive council meeting of the PDP-Laban today (Monday), saying it was called upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte, chairman of the PDP-Laban, tasked Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, party vice-chairman, to “organize, convene and preside over the council meeting.”
"This move, which is part of the democratic exercise, aims to consult party members and have fruitful and productive exchanges on issues affecting PDP-Laban," the Palace official said.
Roque's pronouncement appeared to have widened the cracks in the ruling party, with PDP-Laban officials taking sides in the dispute between Cusi and Pacquiao four months before the filing of the certificates of candidacy for next year's elections.
Party executive director Ron Munsayac took up the cudgels for Pacquiao, PDP-Laban's acting national president, and insisted that Cusi has no authority to call for a council meeting.
“With all due respect to the presidential spokesperson, the PDP-Laban has its Constitution and by-laws for a reason. It’s very clear that only the chairman (President Duterte) in coordination with the party president (Manny Pacquiao) can call on the Party’s National Council and/or Assembly,” Munsayac said.
“Also, if this purported council meeting is sanctioned by our chairman, how come we have not received any formal communication from the chairman (President Duterte) – only an announcement from his spokesperson who isn’t even a party-mate?” Munsayac added.
PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag, for his part, said an executive council meeting is different from the national council meeting even as he divulged the party must decide on who will serve as its party president through an election.
Matibag insisted Pacquiao only became acting president through an "appointment" and without any party consultation.
“The move of Senator (Aquilino III) Koko Pimentel to pass the position on to Sen. Pacquiao is unclear with the leadership and the members. It is not clear how Senator Pacquiao became acting president,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Matibag, who is also Transco president and CEO, said part of today's agenda is the preparation for the 2022 elections.
Cusi, however, clarified on Saturday that next year's elections was not part of the agenda even as he belittled those opposed to the meeting as belonging to the “minority” in the party.
Cusi said the meeting in Cebu City was intended to consult with members on "how to support the President’s agenda as he enters his last year in office."
Munsayac said Pacquiao will seek a meeting with Duterte to discuss and set the agenda for “the legitimate national council meeting to be set a month before the filing of candidacies, or earlier if the chairman wishes.”
He said it was “unfortunate” that politics is taking a center stage in the middle of a pandemic.
Pacquiao earlier issued a memorandum circular urging his party-mates to “ignore” Cusi's invitation letter.