CLARENCE PEN: PDP-Laban Cracks

The tug of war among political leaders under one ruling administration party, Partiko Ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) was the recurring subject of discussion by ordinary people in coffeeshops, barbershops and different establishments.

In fact, this subject stirs confusion among them considering that a few weeks from now we will be witnessing the filing of the certificates of candidacies in the office of the Commission on Election or COMELEC and no settlement yet as to who among the Alfonso Cusi and Manny Pacquiao factions are to be recognized in the coming polls.

Political observers following the controversy said, “This might be the crucial political event being awaited by millions of Filipinos who are excited to witness the outcome of political rivalry. As far as PDP-LABAN Pacquiao faction is concerned, Senator Koko Pimentel is confident that they would prevail over the other because they had the number of original party members and affirmed his signatory in all documents required by the COMELEC which was also the basis when President Duterte assumed his presidency in 2016 Election.

However, I have my apprehension and anticipation that the “tug of war” will transcend into a serious political crisis if this will not be settled immediately. I sense this will affect party representation because it will gain political foundation to political opponents who have the weapon to counter their differences.

This is a country’s political exercise and political adversaries are willing to resort to “mudslinging” if needed to protect their interest.

Let us remember that no amount of friendship can interfere because what they are aspiring for, is on how to recover their investment in the actual campaign.

Just imagine, these party members were allies during the 2016 Presidential Election that catapulted Duterte into presidency and now they are transforming into political lions unmindful of the political patronage they got in the past years.

It is indeed truthful, the words uttered by many that in politics, there is no permanent friends nor even relatives but only vested political interests.*