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Amid Pacquiao boycott call, Cusi says PDP-Laban assembly meant to support Duterte

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/27/alfonso-cusi-pacquiao.jpg"/><figcaption>Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Senator Manny Pacquiao.</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA— Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Saturday his call for a national council assembly of ruling party PDP-Laban on Monday is meant to show support for President Rodrigo Duterte and his programs as his term nears its end.</p><p>In a statement, Cusi, the party vice chair, said the meeting in Cebu City also aims to consult with members on &quot;how to support the President’s agenda as he enters his last year in office.&quot; </p><p>He released the statement after party president Sen. Manny Pacquiao issued a memorandum directing PDP-Laban members to &quot;ignore&quot; the call for an assembly. </p><p>Pacquiao said calling for the party&#x27;s national assembly must be approved by its chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, and him as party president. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/27/21/pacquiao-cusi-pdp-laban-assembly">READ: Pacquiao orders PDP-Laban members to ignore Cusi&#x27;s call for party assembly</a></li></ul><p>In a separate statement issued Friday, Cusi emphasized that the meeting is important so they could examine what the party has accomplished and what still &quot;needs to be done.&quot; </p><p>&quot;The composition of the PDP-Laban National Council shows that it is a body where fruitful and effective exchanges can be made. This is particularly important in the light of our collective effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,&quot; he explained. </p><p>The official also noted the importance of the assembly since in the &quot;political process&quot; it is part of democracy, the foundation of PDP-Laban. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1694939" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>The assembly was set 5 months before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national elections.</p><p>While he and Pacquiao were again on divergent paths on party affairs, Cusi said PDP-Laban remains united, noting that those who wanted to boycott the event is only a &quot;minority.&quot; </p><p>&quot;We wish to reiterate that the assembly is part and parcel of the democratic process that every major political party should embrace,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/28/21/pdp-laban-official-defies-pacquiao-says-may-31-meeting-to-proceed">READ: PDP-Laban official defies Pacquiao, says May 31 meeting to proceed</a></li></ul><p>&quot;I would like to reassure the people that our party remains united and committed to serve and accomplish the President&#x27;s socio-economic agenda,&quot; he said.</p><p>Should the assembly push through, it would be PDP-Laban&#x27;s &quot;first major meeting&quot; since the pandemic. </p><p>Pacquio&#x27;s spokesman Ron Munsayac earlier said the senator would not be attending Monday&#x27;s meeting but instead call for a meeting in September. </p><p>Several senators earlier said Pacquiao intends to become PDP-Laban&#x27;s standard bearer next year. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/12/21/not-legitimate-pacquiao-says-of-pdp-laban-members-push-for-duterte-vice-presidential-bid">&#x27;Not legitimate,&#x27; Pacquiao says of PDP-Laban members&#x27; push for Duterte vice-presidential bid</a></li></ul>

<p>Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Saturday his call for a national council assembly of ruling party PDP-Laban on Monday is meant to show support for President Rodrigo Duterte and his programs as his term nears its end.</p>

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Saturday his call for a national council assembly of ruling party PDP-Laban on Monday is meant to show support for President Rodrigo Duterte and his programs as his term nears its end.