Supreme Court Confirms Alfonso Cusi-Led Faction as Legitimate PDP-Laban Leadership

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the leadership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) under former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, endorsing the earlier ruling made by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). In a detailed 25-page decision authored by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao and released on September 17, the court rejected the petition filed by prominent party members and former senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Manny Pacquiao.

The petitioners contested the validity of the PDP-Laban national council meeting held on May 31, 2021, arguing that exceptional circumstances did not warrant Cusi replacing former President Rodrigo Duterte as party chairman. However, the Supreme Court noted Duterte’s May 17, 2021 memorandum authorizing Cusi to organize, convene, and preside over the meeting in Cebu City.

"Through the said Memorandum, Duterte delegated to Cusi his authority to organize, convene, and preside over the meeting," the high court stated. It further supported the COMELEC’s stance that it would be unreasonable to strip the chairman of such authority in managing internal party affairs, given the reliance of officers and members on one another for governance.

Even if procedural irregularities existed—such as the meeting agenda not being coordinated with Pacquiao or flawed notices to members—the Supreme Court deemed the May 31 meeting valid due to the presence of a proper quorum. Evidence showed that 126 out of 162 voting members attended, exceeding the required quorum under PDP-Laban’s constitution and bylaws.

"No record exists that the voting members who attended the meeting questioned or objected to Cusi’s takeover," the SC emphasized.

The court concluded that resolutions and actions taken during the May 31 meeting, which paved the way for subsequent meetings on July 16 and the National Assembly on July 17, were legitimate and representative of the majority.

The July 17, 2021 National Assembly elected new PDP-Laban officers, with Alfonso Cusi sworn in as party president. This decision solidifies the standing of the Cusi faction as the rightful PDP-Laban leadership, dismissing efforts by rival members to overturn the party's internal leadership structure.