PDP-Laban execs to meet with officials of China’s Communist Party – Genuino

High-ranking officials of President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) are set to meet with their counterparts from China’s ruling Communist Party later this month in Beijing to “deepen exchanges and cooperation” with each other.

Former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair Efraim Genuino disclosed the upcoming meeting between officials of PDP-Laban and the Communist Party in the motion he filed with the Sandiganbayan dated Jan. 10 for permission to travel.

Genuino said PDP-Laban officials led by the party’s vice chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, will be in Beijing from Jan. 22 to 25 to meet with Communist Party officials to “deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost mutual trust and friendship for sound and stable progress in China-Philippines strategic and cooperative relationship for peace and development.”

The former Pagcor chair said he has been invited to join the PDP-Laban delegation since he is the chair of the party’s finance committee.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, PDP-Laban president, confirmed that their party will be sending a delegation to China.

“Yes, PDP is sending a delegation to China led by DOE Secretary Cusi who’s our party vice-chairman,” Pimentel said in a text message.

Court nod

Genuino has to seek the court’s nod to leave the country since he is facing multiple criminal charges connected to his stint in the state-run gaming firm.

No details of the Beijing trip were attached to Genuino’s travel motion since they “have yet to be secured,” he said.

Aside from going on an official business trip to Beijing, Genuino said he also wants to travel to Hong Kong from January 27 to 30 “for a much needed short vacation.” — with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News