Supreme Court Affirms Cusi-Duterte Faction as Legitimate PDP-Laban Leaders

The Supreme Court has wholly affirmed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) recognition of the Alfonso Cusi–Melvin Matibag faction as the legitimate leadership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), putting an end to a long-standing internal leadership fight.

In a 25-page decision promulgated in July but released recently, the SC En Banc ruled that Comelec did not commit grave abuse of discretion in accepting the petition by Cusi’s group. The court maintained that procedural imperfections did not invalidate the process in which Cusi and Matibag were recognized.

Key to the SC’s decision was its validation of the national council meeting on May 31, 2021, attended by 126 out of 162 voting members well above the required quorum under PDP-Laban’s constitution. Also upheld was the national assembly held on July 16-17, 2021, where Cusi was elected president with Rodrigo Duterte as chairperson.

The court voided the rival actions taken by the faction led by former senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao, including their expulsion of Cusi and Matibag and their appointment of Pimentel as acting chairperson. Such actions were ruled to be beyond their authority under the party’s constitution.

PDP-Laban has been split since 2021, with the Pimentel-Pacquiao faction challenging the legitimacy of the Cusi-Matibag leadership following disputes over endorsements, nominations, and internal appointments. The latest SC ruling effectively settles the controversy by granting uncontested leadership to Cusi and Matibag.

With the legal battle resolved, the Cusi-Matibag faction now holds recognized authority over PDP-Laban. This decision has implications for party discipline, candidate selection, and future alignments as the party moves forward under unified leadership.