PDP-Laban not yet seeking alliance with HNP but open to it for Eleksyon 2022 –Matibag

While the PDP Laban has yet to form alliances with other parties, including Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago, they are open to coalescing with major and local political groups, party Secretary-general Melvin Matibag said Tuesday.

“Formally, wala pa (there are no alliances yet). So I cannot make an announcement. There are just talks, mga major political parties din ‘yon na nakikipagusap (we are talking with major political parties),” he told reporters in a virtual interview.

The PDP-Laban official said that the ruling party is not seeking an alliance with the party of President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter “as of the moment” but he noted that “it’s not impossible” for the ruling party to coalesce with HNP.

“We are open, of course, to an alliance with the local parties, not only with Hugpong, but other local political parties. Kaya sinabing ‘at the moment’ kasi wala pa talagang pag-uusap (I mentioned “at the moment” because there are no actual discussions on the possible alliance),” he explained.

“But I have to tell you na hindi imposible na magkaroon ng alliance because ang paniniwala ng Hugpong at tsaka mga nandoon sa Hugpong ay friends of PDP-Laban, they are aligned to the principles of PDP-Laban,” he added.

(But I have to tell you it is not impossible to have an alliance with them because the principles of Hugpong, also the members of Hugpong are friends of PDP-Laban, they are aligned to the principles of PDP-Laban.)

Reacting to Matibag’s statement, PDP-Laban stalwart and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III maintained that the faction of Matibag and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is preparing the party for a presidential candidate from outside the party.

“Ito naman ang sagutin nila (They should answer this)… These rogue elements identifying themselves with PDP-Laban are 'in the end' going to back up a [presidential candidate] from outside the party,” Pimentel told GMA News Online.

“Mark my words: 'in the end.' Basa na namin yan. Noon pa (We already anticipated this),” he added.

As early as June, Pimentel had warned of Cusi’s “secret agenda” which is to “gift the presidential nomination of the party to a party outsider.”

Earlier, Pimentel was asked whether he thinks the party's nominee will be gifted to presidential daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte.

The lawmaker had said it is Cusi who should be asked about the matter.

The Davao mayor is not a member of PDP-Laban.

Senatorial line-up

While there are no finalized alliances for Eleksyon 2022, Matibag said PDP-Laban is still talking with other major political parties such as the Partido Federal, Nacionalista Party, and the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

The alliances will be formed mainly because there are members of NP and Partido Federal who might be considered in PDP-Laban’s 2022 senatorial line-up, Matibag explained.

“There are candidates na tatakbo sa administration ticket so sigurado magkakaroon ng talks (on alliances),” he said.

(Some candidates will run under the administration ticket so I’m sure there will be talks about alliances.)

Matibag, in the same interview, named NP member, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Partido Federal member, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, as two of the Cabinet members that are being considered in PDP-Laban’s senatorial line-up for 2022.

To recall, both Partido Federal and LDP had expressed their intention to ally with HNP.

Moreover, Matibag mentioned that the upcoming polls were very different from the previous elections as the political plans of many parties are still “fluid” in terms of building alliances.

He said the “solid agreements” with other parties might be announced after September 8.

In the same interview, Matibag announced the names of the Cabinet officials being considered in the PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate for 2022. The list will be finalized and announced on September 8. — DVM, GMA News