According to Tomas: Labella “fake” PDP chapter president

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña called Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella the “bogus president” of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban Cebu City Chapter after another person surfaced as the party’s chapter president.

In his press conference yesterday, Osmeña said the members of the Barug Team Rama who shifted allegiance to PDP-Laban are “not legitimate” members of the administration party.

“And then now, it turns out si Labella is a bogus president. Di siya mauwaw? Kani’ng mga balimbing ni Binay, nabalhin sa PDP-Laban ilang giangkon ang PDP-Laban, diay they are not legitimate,” the mayor told reporters.

When sought for comment, Labella said he never knew that there were officers under the PDP-Laban Cebu City Chapter headed by a certain Lorna Roa Bacalla. Labella, who took his oath before House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez last month, said he is not surprised by the statement of Osmeña.

“Well, we have to reach out to them (Bacalla). After all, they are also supporters of the president and the president’s agenda,” Labella said.

He said his appointment was offered to him by Alvarez who is the secretary general of PDP-Laban.

The issue on two local factions of PDP-Laban surfaced after former Kamputhaw barangay captain Lorenzo Basamot posted on Facebook that he was appointed as vice president of the PDP-Laban Cebu City Chapter.

PDP-Laban Provincial President Nixon Dizon already made a statement that the group is recognizing Bacalla as the city’s chapter president.

Labella vowed to address the matter as soon as possible, saying he will meet with the group of Bacalla.

“I never knew about the existence of such a group then. But, I knew that they were supporters of the president, but not about the set of officers,” Labella said.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, another local member of PDP-Laban, said Alvarez is the best person to address the matter, being the secretary general of the party.

Meanwhile, Councilor Jose Daluz III said Osmeña can only dream to be part of the group. (FREEMAN)