Duterte downplays rift between 2 PDP-Laban officials

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is unbothered by the rift between two officials of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) over the holding of a national assembly on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after PDP-Laban vice-chair and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi decided to proceed with the party’s national assembly despite PDP-Laban president and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s call to ignore it.

“Not at all,” Roque said when asked if the rift between two officials caused a distraction to the President. “As you can see, life continues in Malacañang. Meetings are scheduled, meetings will be held, decisions will be made, decisions will be announced.”

He said Duterte has decided to skip his PDP-Laban national assembly since he had a “full schedule” on Monday.

“I have no idea other than he’s got a full schedule also in the Palace. As you know, in the afternoons, we’re fully-booked,” Roque said.

Meanwhile, he said Duterte had no plans to step in to resolve the tiff among PDP-Laban officials.

“I think it’s enough that the President signed in writing a memorandum authorizing Secretary Cusi to call the meeting today and made me announce it yesterday,” he said.

On Sunday, Roque announced that Duterte directed Cusi “to organize, convene, and preside” over the national assembly of PDP-Laban.

“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,” Roque said in a statement.

In a May 25 memorandum, Pacquiao told PDP-Laban members that they are “strongly advised to ignore” Cusi’s invitation as it is not sanctioned by national party officers.

Pacquiao said a call for a national assembly or meeting is subject to his and Duterte’s approval.

Cusi, however, said the party would like to examine what they have accomplished and what 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,” he said.