Senator Manny Pacquiao wants to resolve all misunderstandings among the members of ruling party PDP-Laban so he is requesting to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte the soonest possible time.
Pacquaio earlier opposed the national council assembly called by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the party vice chairman. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Cusi was directed by President Duterte, the party chairman, “to organize, convene and preside over the council meeting.”
Roque said that the move aims to consult party members and have productive discourse on issues affecting PDP-Laban.
Pacquiao, the PDP-Laban acting president, pointed out that any assembly should be approved by both the party president and party chairman.
On Sunday, Pacquiao’s spokesperson Ron Munsayac questioned Roque’s statement.
“With all due respect to the Presidential Spokesperson, the PDP Laban has its Constitution and Bylaws 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,” said Munsayac.
He also stated that Pacquiao’s camp has not received any formal communication from President Duterte and was only aware of this through an announcement from his Spokesperson, Harry Roque, who is not even a party mate.
“Let us follow the proper process. Senator Manny Pacquiao will request for a meeting with Chairman/President Duterte so the two party leaders can 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,” Munsayac stressed.
Pacquiao has decided not to attend Monday’s meeting and advised members to do the same in a memorandum posted May 25 due to alleged violation made by Cusi of the party’s constitution. The acting president is looking to call for a meeting sometime in September instead.
Earlier in March, several PDP-Laban members made their resolution for Duterte to run as Vice President for the 2022 elections. However, Senator Manny Pacquiao denied such claims as he currently wants the party to prioritize helping the people over politics amid the COVID-19 pandemic.