Pacquiao wing scoffs at adoption of Sara Duterte by Cusi's PDP-Laban

The PDP-Laban wing led by Senator Manny Pacquiao on Friday criticized the move of the other faction, led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, of adopting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as its vice presidential candidate for Eleksyon 2022.

In a statement, PDP-Laban vice chairman Lutgardo Barbo said the adoption shows the desperation of the Cusi group to hold power in the government.

"Mayor Duterte has rejected them many times and has even made pronouncements throwing insults to the party which used to be chaired by her father President Duterte," Barbo said.

"Pakapalan na lang talaga sila ng mukha para manatili sa poder. Patunay din ito na peke at pawang mga impostor itong mga taong ito," he added.

(They will do everything just to remain in power. This also shows that these people are fake.)

Earlier, the Cusi wing announced its adoption of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, saying that she will ensure continuity of her father's programs.  Duterte is running under the Lakas-CMD party.

The party, however, still has no presidential candidate with less than a month to go before the campaign period starts on February 8.

The Pacquiao faction said as far as the "real and genuine" PDP-Laban is concerned, its vice presidential candidate is Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, the running mate of presidential aspirant Pacquiao.

"Matagal nang Pacquiao-Atienza ang PDP-Laban sa simula pa lang because we are a disciplined party with a clear vision and program of government," Barbo said.

(Since then, the PDP-Laban is pushing for a Pacquiao-Atienza tandem because we are a disciplined party with a clear vision and program of government.)—LDF, GMA News