Jamaine Punzalan

Then President Rodrigo Duterte listens to a briefing given by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, May 31, 2018.  Toto Lozano, Malacanang Photo/File

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175808060728520180601-duterte-pagbilao-MNIB-9 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Then President Rodrigo Duterte listens to a briefing given by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, May 31, 2018.  Toto Lozano, Malacanang Photo/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the Commission on Elections to recognize the PDP-Laban faction led by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Alfonso Cusi over the faction led by former senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao.</p><p>In an en banc decision dated July 8, 2025, the petition filed by Pimentel and Pacquiao was denied.</p><p>A copy of the decision was posted by lawyer Israelito Torreon on Facebook. </p><p>&quot;Accordingly, the petition for certiorari is dismissed and the application for issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction is denied,&quot; the court said in the decision. </p><p>In 2022, the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/06/22/duterte-backed-wing-wins-comelec-nod">Comelec recognized the faction chaired by Duterte</a> over the wing led by Pimentel.</p><p>Pimentel&#x27;s father, former senator Aquilino Pimentel III co-founded the party in 1982. </p><p>The Supreme Court stated in the decision that Duterte&#x27;s filing of candidacy for the 2022 national elections under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan party does not invalidate his actions as PDP-Laban chairman in party meetings and assembly in 2021. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/06/22/nene-pimentels-widow-laments-comelec-decision-on-pdp-laban">READ: Nene Pimentel&#x27;s widow laments Comelec decision on PDP-Laban</a></div><p>The high court stressed that the Comelec did not commit grave abuse of discretion in its 2022 and 2023 resolutions favoring the Duterte and Cusi faction. </p><p>The court also said the resolution naming Pimentel as acting chairman was void because of lack of evidence that Duterte authorized him to preside over the party&#x27;s meeting.</p><p>&quot;This is in contrast with the May 31, 2021 National Council meeting held by the Cusi-led faction where the call for the meeting was made by Duterte by way of the memorandum dated May 17, 2021,&quot; the court said.</p><p>Pimentel acknowledged the decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the Cusi group. </p><p>&quot;That&#x27;s it for my group. We will just have to exercise our freedom of association under some other movement and association,&quot; Pimentel said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/etmVYs9C7kk" title="PDP-Laban ilang beses nagkaroon ng alitan sa mga nagdaang taon | TV Patrol" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the Commission on Elections to recognize the PDP-Laban faction led by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Alfonso Cusi over the wing led by former senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao.</p>

The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the Commission on Elections to recognize the PDP-Laban faction led by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Alfonso Cusi over the wing led by former senators Koko Pimentel and Manny Pacquiao.

Supreme Court upholds Comelec’s recognition of Cusi-Duterte faction as leaders of PDP-Laban

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Supreme Court upholds Comelec’s recognition of Cusi-Duterte faction as leaders of PDP-Laban

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 17, 2025 11:50 AM PHT

|

Updated September 17, 2025 04:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Comelec

PDP-Laban

Cusi

Duterte

SC

Supreme Court

Koko Pimentel

Manny Pacquiao

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