Pacquiao-Duterte, the bitter struggle for the ruling party in the Philippines on the way to the presidential elections

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and former world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, former allies, they meet clashed for control of the ruling Philippines party, which is organizing presidential elections next year.

The Pacquiao-loyal faction within the ruling People’s Democratic Party of the Philippines (PDP LABAN) replaced Duterte at the head of the party on Sunday and ousted three of his allies in a decision rejected by the rival sector, which has him. called comedy “.

The party split can be seen on the internet, where his website still keeps Duterte’s photo as leader (president), while the party’s social media are in Pacquiao’s hands.

“PDP LABAN appoints Senator Koko Pimentel as head of the National Council (of the party)”, one can read in the profile of the formation on Facebook.

The party’s Twitter account shared a post supporting Pacquiao as the next presidential candidate in elections slated for May.

PDP LABAN Secretary General Melvin Matibag on Duterte’s side said “Senator Koko Pimentel has no post at PDP LABAN. He is irrelevant and does not represent the party ”.

In this direction, He stressed that “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the chairman of the PDP LABAN party. It is now and will continue to be, ”according to a statement quoted by the Philippine Philippine News Agency.

En un comunicado, su partido, PDP Laban, indicó que Duterte, de 76 años, quien ganó las elecciones den 2016, ha accepted the invitación como candidato vicepresidencial para proseguir sus políticas contra el narcotráfico, la pobreza y la campa contra la covid-19a , among others.

“President Rodrigo Boa Duterte has decided to make the sacrifice and listen to the cry of the people,” says the party chaired by Duterte.

Many analysts expect their daughter Sara, the current mayor of Davao, to run for president. in the country, where presidents cannot be re-elected by law.

Pacquiao, a senator since 2016, was Duterte’s collaborator and partner until June, he criticized the president for his policies with Beijing in the disputed waters of the South China Sea and a month later he denounced suspected cases corruption in the covid19 assistance program.

As a result, Pacquiao was replaced as the party’s executive chairman last July and replaced by Energy Minister Alfonso Cusi.

The boxer’s faction reinstated him as president and kicked out Cusi and two of his aides.

The resolution of the leadership dispute will depend on the decision of the Election Commission.

On the other hand, the president led a judicial crusade against critical voices and media, such as the prestigious journalist Maria Ressa, founder of Rappler.

However, the polls continue to be very favorable to both Duterte and his daughter Sara.

According to a Pulse Asia Research poll last July, Sara and Rodrigo Duterte are the preferred candidates for the country’s presidency and vice-presidency with the potential support of 28 and 18 percent of voters, respectively.

(with information from the EFE)

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