Senator Manny Pacquiao must first leave their PDP-Laban party before he can criticize President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
Cusi made the statement on Tuesday after Duterte challenged Pacquiao on Monday night to prove corruption in some government branches.
“Well, it’s really unfortunate that the acting president of the party is accusing the chairman—who is the President of the country—of those things that Senator Pacquiao said openly,” said Cusi in an interview with the ANC.
Duterte is the standing chairman of PDP-Laban, while Pacquiao is acting president, and Cusi is vice chairman.
“If you don’t like your house… if you don’t like the company you’re working for, don’t say something about it. Lumayas ka muna, bago mo sunugin ang bahay mo,” added Cusi.
Earlier, Pacquiao said in an interview that is ongoing corruption in some government agencies.
Pacquiao also said Duterte’s stance on the issue of the West Philippine Sea is lacking.
According to Cusi, there was a problem with his and Pacquiao’s group in PDP-Laban in December 2020 at a thanksgiving party organized by some party officials.
Cusi advises Pacquiao to leave PDP-Laban before criticizing Duterte
Duterte and Cusi were among the guests but were unable to attend.
Cusi said they were surprised when there was a change in leadership and Pacquiao became the party president.
Although they said they had no objection to the new leadership, they still sought an explanation from Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, former PDP-Laban president and now executive vice-chairman.
Pimentel explained that they only want to give Pacquiao “exposure” in preparation for his plan for 2022.
“Senator Koko explained to us that, you know, to give Senator Manny exposure because I believe he has plans to run for higher office,” said Cusi.
The official added that they tried to talk to Pacquiao, but it didn’t happen. However, he said any misunderstanding could have been resolved when their meeting took place.
Cusi, on the other hand, denied that they plan to remove Pacquiao from the presidency of PDP-Laban at a meeting to be held on July 17.
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