Pimentel, Gonzales take oath before Pacquiao as PDP-Laban officers

Deputy Speakers Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr and Johnny Pimentel on Thursday took their oath of office as new officers of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Gonzales said.

Both lawmakers were sworn into office by new PDP-Laban president Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Gonzales was appointed as PDP-Laban vice president for Luzon, while Pimentel was named regional president for CARAGA.

During the event, Pacquiao urged his party mates to shun all forms of corruption.

“The corrupt officials are our enemies. What they steal we even have to pay as debt. It is saddening that millions of our countrymen are hungry, sick and lose hope, while billions are being stolen by some people in the government,” Pacquiao said.

The boxing champ and senator assumed the party's presidency on Wednesday, while Speaker Lord Allan Velasco was named  executive vice president.

President Rodrigo Duterte is the party's chairman. —KG, GMA News