FORMER President Rodrigo Roa Duterte commented on the issue of the resignation of a congressman from the PDP-Laban Party.
“Before I answer, I will resign now as a member and officer of PDP-Laban. The former President, Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is the one who said “Mr. Chairman,” according to Rep. Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales, Jr., Pampanga 3rd District.
That was Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Dong Gonzales’s words following his abrupt resignation when he was being pressed by Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman.
Lagman’s question was about which personality is said to be damaging the image of the House of Representatives.
However, since he is still a member of PDP-Laban, Gonzales decided to resign first before answering the question and pointed to former President Duterte as the chairman of the party.
For PDP-Laban President Jose Chavez Alvarez, Gonzales had been hinting at his resignation from the party for a while.
“A few days ago, they were already intimating to me. Since his public resignation yesterday, he was in a tight spot here in the plenary, so let’s just accept that he has resigned,” Rep. Jose Chavez Alvarez, President, PDP-Laban, said.
Alvarez clarified the party’s position on House Resolution 1414 in support of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership, especially since most PDP-Laban members support it.
Currently, there are more than 25 congressmen who are members of PDP-Laban.
“That was the sentiment yesterday, of course, we’ll go back to the drawing board to figure out what the real situation is. So let’s leave it for cooler heads to prevail, right? Rather than commenting now because it won’t lead anywhere… The election is still far away,” Alvarez, added.
Former President Duterte, as chairman of PDP-Laban, respects Gonzales’ decision to leave the party.
“I respect his decision to leave the party, and I would encourage those who are not in tune with us or don’t like it. You’re always welcome to leave. I have no… Even if I remain the only one in PDP, it’s okay with me, I have no problem,” statement of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The former President emphasized that it’s also okay with him if it comes to a point where he’s the only one left in PDP-Laban.
He stressed the importance of principles in party politics.
As a lawyer, former prosecutor, mayor, and President of the Philippines, Duterte considers the principle a significant aspect he has carried throughout his public service career.
A relevant discussion following the resignation of a party member.
“What’s important here is the principle. It’s not just the party; party principles are important. But the most important thing is the people. If you have principles, we’ll understand each other. Now, if you have no principles in life and you just agree because it’s wrong or because of camaraderie, or you do the wrong thing, do not expect me to applaud every time you make a foolish decision. After all, I’ve been a mayor for 23 years, a congressman, then president, and vice mayor. So, I have nothing to hide,” Duterte said.
