A loyalty check in the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) is not needed following Monday’s sudden change of leadership at the House of Representatives, PDP president Sen. Aquilino Pimentel said.
He added the ruling party observes freedom of association, thus it will not stop any member from leaving the group.
“Let them go. Why the need to check loyalty, those who want to leave, can leave. No problem with us, we’ve seen that before,” Pimentel told reporters.
Last Monday, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP secretary general, was removed as Speaker and was replaced by fellow member, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.
The senator also stressed that the change in House leadership or the reported jumping of Alvarez’s supporters to Arroyo will not have an effect on the legislative program of President Rodrigo Duterte.
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“We are not the only group supporting the President, there are so many regional groups, other groups which are supporting the President,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel added while there were party members saddened by the turn of event, himself included, there are also reasons for PDP to be happy since Arroyo is also a member.
“I am quite sad and feel unfortunate. They are supposed to be party members, in a party you are like-minded individuals, you have the same plans with the party. It should have been discussed,” Pimentel said.
He also dismissed worries that the party may collapse with its members joining a stronger group.
“We have a huge membership, that’s why there is this mess. We have never been this large,” Pimentel said.
There are 120 local executives who are members of the PDP whose leader is Mr. Duterte.
In the Senate, Pimentel and Sen. Manny Pacquiao are PDP members.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the abrupt removal of Alvarez as Speaker was a clear indication of the need to strengthen the country’s political party system.
“The episode in the House of Representatives necessitates and justifies the passage of a political party system act,” Drilon said at the Kapihan sa Senado.
“We should pass a legislation which will govern the political party in our system. Look at that, you know in a more mature democracy with a more mature political party system, that would not happen,” Drilon said.
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