MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III yesterday called on his partymates in PDP-Laban to stay the course and warned them against what he described as fakes and usurpers out to destroy the ruling party.
Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban, issued the statement as President Duterte was set to intervene in the row between Pimentel and a supposed breakaway faction led by a lawyer from General Santos City.
“We must remain strong and think of the best interest of the party and end the drama and sideshow,” Pimentel told radio station dzBB, referring to the rally and election of officers last Friday of people who claimed to be PDP-Laban members led by a certain Rogelio Garcia, who reportedly ousted the senator.
“For legitimate members, don’t worry. Don’t be affected by reports in the media,” he said, adding that most of the group are non-members or not ranking party officers.
He urged PDP-Laban to continue preparing for the May 2019 elections and in developing political maturity.
“Let’s look at the program of government, not the politics,” Pimentel stressed.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go had told reporters that Duterte will intervene in the row and set a meeting—with no specified date yet—between Pimentel and Garcia and their respective followers.
While Pimentel is uncomfortable with the meeting as it could legitimize Garcia, whom he considers a usurper, Go said there could be no harm since all of them support Duterte.
The senator described Garcia as a lawyer from General Santos who was “once a member” of PDP-Laban and whom he helped in the past for political activities.
“The reasoning was that all us are supporters of the President and politics is addition, so let’s allow the President (to set the meeting),” Pimentel said.
He said he remains confident of keeping his post in the party even if he was removed from the Senate presidency earlier this year, and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was ousted as speaker last week.
Alvarez was replaced by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.