‘Legitimate’ PDP leaders visit Tom

CEBU, Philippines — Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban Cebu City Chapter President Lorna Bacalla does not consider Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as the appointed president of the group.

She said the vice mayor has not yet undergone the Basic Membership Seminar (BMS) which is among the requirements of the group before a person can be called as a legitimate member.

“No, because he has not taken the basic requirement.  Well, as what I have read in the paper, according to some columnist also, that I am the legitimate president of PDP-Laban Cebu City council and he is not,” Bacalla told reporters yesterday.

She was not alarmed when Labella took oath before House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the Malacañang last January 17 when the former was reportedly appointed as the party’s local president.

“We know the rules, the party rules, so we were not really affected. Because it cannot be done that way,” Bacalla said.

She said the PDP-Laban chapter was formed before President Rodrigo Duterte decided to run for public office in 2015.

In December 2017, she was elected by the members of the council as the president of the group.

As per the rule, the term of the president and other officers would be at least two years.

PDP-Laban Cebu City Chapter yesterday paid a courtesy call on Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Lorna’s husband, Gen. Alexander Bacalla, who is the party’s local chairman on membership, said they decided to visit the mayor to let the public know that they are the existing officers of PDP-Laban Cebu city chapter.

“There is some confusion as to who heads the party especially in the city of Cebu.  So, we decided to make a courtesy call on the mayor so that we will be known that we are the existing (officers of) the party,” Alexander said.

In order to address the confusion, they will just have to wait for the decision of the Malacañang, after Labella has asked clarification on the matter last February 13.

Alexander said they will abide by the decision of Malacañang on the matter.  At present, however, they are standing their ground that Lorna is the party’s local president.

“There are party rules which have to be obeyed, whatever will be the decision of the national, of course, we will abide with it,” he said.

Even though Labella reportedly has not talked to the group about the matter, Alexander said they have a good relationship with the city official.

“There is no conflict, because I am not a politician and I’m not running for any position,” Lorna said.

Alexander emphasized that none of the members are planning to run for public office in the upcoming local elections.

“No, no plans.  We’re just party members and we are fortunate to be elected as officers of the party in Cebu City. We will guide the party in accordance with this ideology,” Alexander added.

In his press conference, Osmeña said the visit of PDP-Laban officers was just a courtesy call, saying no important matters have been discussed.

The FREEMAN tried to get Labella’s side but was not available as of press time. (FREEMAN)