Pacquiao appointment illegal — Panelo
He also expressed confidence that the rift between Cusi and Pacquiao could still be fixed
The appointment of Senator Manny Pacquiao as president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in December last year was “illegal,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo said Monday.
“The reorganization happened because the appointment of Sen. Pacquiao was considered illegal under the constitution of the PDP-Laban,” Panelo said in his daily online program “Counterpoint.”
He said the removal of the lawmaker as the party president is justified as he was only appointed by then PDP-Laban president Senator Koko Pimentel instead of a party election.
Pacquiao, who is currently in the United States to prepare for his match with the unbeaten Errol Spence in August, was replaced by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on 17 July.
Cusi, who was earlier expelled by the committee led by Pacquiao, was elected as the new party president during the PDP-Laban national assembly in Pampanga.
He said the removal of the lawmaker as the party president is justified as he was only appointed by then PDP-Laban president Senator Koko Pimentel instead of a party election.
Panelo however clarified that Pacquiao and his allies were not expelled in the party but only with their respective posts.
“They were not removed from the PDP-Laban, Pacquiao was not removed from the party. In fact, Pimentel was one of the council of elders,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that the rift between Cusi and Pacquiao could still be fixed.
“In my opinion, the misunderstanding could still be solved. But in case it will not, they will have to bring it to the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said.
The former Palace mouthpiece added that if the Pacquiao-led faction brings the issue to the Comelec, the independent body mandated to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections in the country will favor Cusi’s side.
“Not that I’m preempting the Comelec, but I have read the constitution and bylaws. I think the actions of Secretary Cusi is legal,” he added.
The PDP-Laban’s national assembly was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, the party chair who led the oath-taking of the new officers.