Narco-politicians in PDP-Laban won’t be spared

MANILA, Philippines -  A leader of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban) warned yesterday that narco-politicians who managed to become members of the ruling party would not be spared in the ongoing war against illegal drugs and corruption.

Benito Ranque, PDP-Laban deputy secretary general, said the party is monitoring reports that a number of narco-politicians and those facing graft charges were able to join the continuing exodus of new members to the administration party.

He stressed that they cannot hide under the party mantle and get away with their illegal activities.

“Some politicians want to become PDP-Laban members thinking they can get away from their misdeeds. But the party will not become their sanctuary. They will face the full force of the law,” he told The STAR.

Ranque vowed to question the continuing mass oath taking of new members from other political parties, including those who forge alliances with the administration party.

 Earlier, Cesar Cuntapay, PDP-Laban coordinating council chairman in Mindanao, protested against the reorganization implemented by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez “without consultation with the national leadership” and in violation of protocols.

 He said Alvarez is leading the recruitment of new party members and replacing old party members with new recruits.

Cuntapay accused Alvarez of violating the PDP-Laban constitution and bylaws when he swore in new members without requiring them to go through a basic membership seminar.

 He believes this would jeopardize the ability of the party to win the most number of seats in the 2019 midterm congressional and senatorial elections.

Cuntapay said he already communicated with other party regional officers so they could raise the issue to President Duterte.