Cuenco to join PDP-Laban

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City south district congressman Antonio Cuenco yesterday confirmed that he will take his oath with Partido Demoktratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) “very soon.”

Cuenco will be the second politician from Cebu to join PDP-Laban after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Cuenco told The FREEMAN that he was invited by former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. and son, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who is now the party’s president.

“It’s like a homecoming for me,” said Cuenco, who is one of the original founders of PDP-Laban.

PDP was founded in 1982 by Nene and a group of protesters of the Marcos government. By 1983, PDP had formed a coalition with the Lakas ng Bayan party, founded earlier by former senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1978, the father of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.

In 1986, the two groups merged to form PDP-Laban which at that period became the single biggest opposition group to run against the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap presidential elections.

Cuenco; the late radio personality Nenita “Inday Nita” Cortez-Daluz and other PDP-Laban leaders in Cebu were among those who stood up against Marcos that resulted in their arrest during the Martial Law. 

Cuenco said that the oathtaking will occur anytime Koko will come to Cebu and he will be joined by Cebu City Councilor Joey Daluz, the son of Inday Nita.

“Si Joey ra ang nakahibawo kung kinsa pa ang uban nga mokuyog namo,” Cuenco said. (Only Joey knows the rest of those who are joining.)

Koko, during his visit in Cebu last month, already said that Cuenco is officially listed as a PDP-Laban member and leader.

Cuenco is running for congressman with the group of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama of the Liberal Party.

Rama earlier denied negotiating with PDP-Laban and UNA party members saying that he would remain with the LP “unless someone wants me out.”

Cuenco said that he was being invited by the Pimentels to rejoin his old party, the PDP Laban.  (FREEMAN)