Padilla named acting EVP of PDP-Laban faction

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte has named Senator Robinhood Padilla as its executive vice president in an acting capacity.

In a statement, PDP-Laban said that Padilla was elected to his new post last August 29 as provided under National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution No. 29, Series of 2022, replacing Karlo Alexei Nograles who resigned from the PDP-Laban post upon being appointed as the chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Padilla, the party, said, will serve “in an acting capacity until the next election of national officers in a national assembly held for that purpose.”

PDP-Laban said Padilla was elected to his new post because "he shares the vision of the PDP Laban and has the capacity to duly represent the party.”

The PDP-Laban constitution provides that Padilla, in his capacity as the party's Executive VP, will be part of the NEC and can take over the functions of party president Alfonso Cusi in case of the latter's prolonged absence, permanent incapacity, suspension, resignation, or expulsion.

Likewise, Padilla is also authorized to “perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned to him or her by the National Council."

Padilla, who topped the 2022 Senate race with over 26 million votes, now sits as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.

President Duterte, back in November 2016, granted Padilla absolute pardon over the actor's 1994 conviction for illegal possession of firearms. The absolute pardon restored his political and civil rights, including running for public office. 

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In an earlier memo issued by PDP-Laban to its members dated August 29, the party said it will convene its national assembly on September 29 at 11 a.m. in Parañaque City.

The members will discuss the adoption of national council resolutions, election of officers and administrative matters.

Three days before the May 9 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recognized this Cusi faction as the legitimate PDP-Laban wing, calling then President Duterte's chairmanship as "undisputed and well-settled fact."

The other wing is led by Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and then Senator Manny Pacquiao.—LDF, GMA News