Senator Koko Pimentel III on Sunday welcomed the COMELEC’s En Banc Resolution declaring that the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) under his leadership was the “legitimate” wing of the ruling party, saying that “we can already focus on 2019 and winning in the elections now that this confusing distraction has been resolved.”
In a five-page Resolution dated November 29, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled that “the Sworn Information Update Statement (SIUS) and List of Authorized Signatories filed by Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III is the legitimate and official Sworn Information Update Statement and List of Authorized Signatories of PDP Laban for the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections.”
The election body, in favoring Pimentel, noted among others that the list of officers from the Senator’s group had already been previously recognized during the 2016 national elections, and thus had no reason to rule otherwise.
“The factual and legal bases for the Comelec resolution are very clear and leave no question that all along, we are the PDP Laban.”
As the recognized legitimate set of officers, those from the Comelec-certified list can validly sign election-related documents such as Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
The election-related case stemmed from the submission of two sets of SIUS and CONA submitted by Pimentel and another group led by lawyer Rogelio Garcia, who the lawyer-legislator categorized as “rogue” elements claiming to be members of the party.
Pimentel added that “The factual and legal bases for the Comelec resolution are very clear and leave no question that all along, we are the PDP Laban and any other group that claims the same is illegitimate. We hope that those who attempt to appropriate the good and historic name of our party for their selfish political interests would exercise wisdom and magnanimity, and accept the Comelec ruling. There’s no need to confuse the public any longer.”
“There’s no need to confuse the public any longer.”
The senator from Mindanao said that preparations for the 2019 elections were in full swing, claiming that they were hoping for nothing less than a landslide win for administration bets for national and local posts for the May 13, 2019 elections.
