Pacquiao hopes to discuss with Duterte ways to strengthen PDP-Laban

PDP-Laban president and Senator Manny Pacquiao is hoping to meet with the party's chairman President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss ways on how to strengthen their party, according to a report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

"I'm hoping to meet with the chairman of the party to discuss our party, so we can discuss and I also have suggestions and proposals to strengthen the party," Pacquiao said in a  mix of Filipino and English.

On May 27, PDP-Laban vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi led the party's first national council meeting despite the memorandum earlier issued by Pacquiao calling on party members to skip the event.

Pacquiao asserted that Cusi's call for the assembly was a violation of the party’s constitution.

However, Cusi said the national council meeting is an "important political process" where PDP-Laban members should be encouraged as a “consultative and participatory democracy” is part of the basic tenets of the party.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, said it was Duterte who directed Cusi to "organize, convene and preside" over the party's council meeting.

During the May 27 assembly, the PDP-Laban national council adopted a resolution urging Duterte to run for the vice presidency in the 2022 elections.

The resolution also urged Duterte to choose his running mate for president in the coming polls.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said Pacquiao wants to run for president next year. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News