Another group surfaces, claims to be PDP-Laban

CEBU, Philippines — A new faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has surfaced, amidst efforts of another group to strengthen the party in the local level.

While the group led by PDP-Laban Cebu Provincial Council President Nixon “Jojo” Dizon conducted a trainor’s training over the weekend, another group led by a certain lawyer Bicbic Garcia from General Santos City also conducted a Basic Membership Seminar (BMS) to some individuals in Cebu City last Saturday.

Garcia is the president of PDP-Laban in Region XII and claimed to be the National Council chairman.

With him were Abbin Dalhani, PDP-Laban National Capital Region (NCR) president as National Council vice chairman; Reymar Mansilungan, Region V president, and Crisostomo Gotladera of Pag-IBIG Fund, as trustee.

However, Dizon quickly disowned the group.

“Dili na PDP-Laban, dili na acknowledged sa PDP-Laban,” Dizon told The Freeman.

Dizon clarified that in the national council, President Rodrigo Duterte is the chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as vice chairman, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as president and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as secretary-general.

Garcia said that the officials mentioned by Dizon were not working anymore for the party after they were put into power including former Department of Environment and Natural Resources undersecretary, now chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Noel Felongco.  Garcia still recognized Felongco as the PDP-Laban Region VII president being appointed by Duterte before the 2016 elections.

“That’s why we are here, nisulod ta kay wala man sila naglihok. We appreciate Dizon very much and we want to reach him out,” Garcia said.

Garcia explained that they are not aware of other groups such as in Cebu City led by Vice Mayor Edgar Labella and Dizon in Cebu Province, since they are not coordinating with them in their activities as well as not participating in their meetings.

He even said that Felongco is not reporting to them of what is happening to PDP-Laban in Cebu and in Central Visayas.

Garcia also clarified that those who attended the mass oath taking led by Alvarez that was participated by around 50,000 in Cebu City last November are not yet members of the PDP-Laban unless they have undergone the BMS.

He also announced that on July 27, the PDP-Laban will be holding its national assembly in Quezon City where they will elect the party’s officers. (FREEMAN)