Duterte in Manila to convene PDP-Laban

MANILA, Philippines — He may have stepped down from office two months ago but former president Rodrigo Duterte has not retired from politics.

Duterte, chairman of the once ruling PDP-Laban, has urged members of the party to attend a national assembly on Sept. 29 in Parañaque City.

A memorandum signed by the former president last Aug. 29 said the agenda of the assembly is the adoption of national council resolutions, election of officers, administrative and other matters.

“All PDP-Laban members in good standing are welcome to attend and observe the national assembly,” the memorandum read.?As early as now, Duterte wants his partymates to prepare for the midterm polls in 2025.

Flying out of Davao City Sunday night, he arrived in Manila in time for last Monday’s party meeting.

In his first political move after stepping down from the presidency last June 30, he urged party members to continue strengthening the PDP-Laban and prepare early in fielding their candidates for the next local and national elections.?The former president also vowed to support and campaign for PDP-Laban’s national and local candidates.

“God is really good. I became president just at the right time. Look, I’m now 77 years old. The right time to retire. I have a lot of illnesses. But I will still help PDP-Laban. I can still campaign,” he said during the PDP-Laban’s National Council Meeting in Parañaque City.

“Let’s prepare for the next election. I commit to campaign for our candidates,” he added.?In a statement, the PDP-Laban said the event was attended by more than 300 national council members, including senators, lawmakers, governors, city mayors and other government officials.

Duterte commended all PDP-Laban members who stayed with the party, the statement added.

“I admire the people of PDP-Laban. You know why I admire you? Members of the PDP-Laban have principles. If you have (no) principles, you would have moved to another party,” the statement quoted the former president as saying.

“We are a democracy. We hope to build a strong PDP-Laban, we already have four senators,” he added, referring to Senators Francis Tolentino, Ronald dela Rosa, Robin Padilla and Bong Go.

Duterte also urged PDP-Laban members to sustain the fight against corruption and illegal drugs.?Prior to this event, the former president has spent most of his time going around Davao City on his big bike and strolling in malls.?Party stalwart and former energy secretary Alfonso Cusi called on PDP-Laban members to support Duterte. He also resigned as PDP-Laban president and called for a new set of officers “to give way for the consolidation of the party.” The former energy chief was elected party president in 2021.

In a separate statement, PDP-Laban said Padilla has been elected acting executive vice president, replacing Karlo Nograles, who stepped down after he was appointed chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

Padilla will act as the party’s second highest official until the next election of officers in a national assembly.

Last May, the Commission on Elections ruled that the PDP-Laban faction led by Duterte and Cusi is the legitimate wing of the party, ending a leadership row that also involved the group of Sen. Manny Pacquiao. – Edith Regalado