Baste Duterte leads PDP-Laban as Padilla steps down

Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will take over as acting president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), following Senator Robin Padilla’s resignation, the party announced Monday.

Padilla is stepping down to focus on his legislative duties in the 20th Congress. He will be succeeded by the party’s Executive Vice President, Mayor Duterte.

In a letter to PDP-Laban Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi, Padilla said he made the decision to fully dedicate himself to his work as senator and to prepare for the upcoming Congress.

“Layunin ko pong ituon ang aking atensyon sa aking tungkulin bilang senador, lalo na sa paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng 20th Congress (My goal is to focus my attention on my responsibilities as a senator, especially in preparing for the opening of the 20th Congress),” the letter read.

Padilla also noted that his involvement in the recent polls required much of his time and energy, prompting him to take a step back.