Presidential aspirant and Sen. Manny Pacquiao asserted his leadership in PDP-Laban following the remark of his rival Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who pleaded support from the party over the weekend.
Although he was not offended by the gesture, Pacquiao maintained that any PDP-Laban decision must first get his approval as its president.
Pacquiao is running under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiative (PROMDI) party.
"Ako naman ang Presidente ng PDP Laban. Kumbaga sa akin din 'yan dadaan lahat 'yung mga ganyan. Yung sa PROMDI, nagkaroon ng alliance ang PDP at saka PROMDI. Pagdating ng panahon tatawagin yan na PDP-Promdi," Pacquiao said in a chance interview with reporters during his meeting with local govenrment officials of Isabela, Pampanga, and Ilocos Norte.
Before the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COCs) last year, it can be recalled that the PDP-Laban was divided into two factions: one that recognizes Pacquiao as president and Sen. Koko Pimentel III as chairman and the other under Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi as party president and President Rodrigo Duterte as chairman.
Currently, the PDP-Laban has no presidential candidate in the May 9 elections.
On Saturday, Moreno pleaded for support from the PDP-Laban on his presidential candidacy after receiving the endorsement of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee.
"Sana kung wala namang presidente ang PDP-Laban, baka pwedeng ako na lang. Baka lang," he said.
