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[av_heading heading=’ Alvarez: No invite for Jed to join PDP-Laban ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has not been invited to join the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), according to party leader House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
“May process sa partido, tsine-check po muna natin,” said Alvarez yesterday. He was here yesterday to induct some 4,000 new local PDP-Laban members.
Among those who took their oaths were city councilors Eduardo Peñaredondo, Jay Treñas, Mandrie Malabor, Candice Tupas, Leizel Zulueta Salazar, Armand Parcon, and Reyland Hervias – allies of Mabilog in the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Mabilog’s non-invitation to PDP-Laban was due to his alleged links to illegal drugs.
“Si Presidente kasi may listahan, master list ng mga involved sa illegal drugs,” Alvarez explained.
Last year, the President accused Mabilog of being a drug protector, a charge that the mayor vehemently denied.
“I have not checked the list (but) para sa akin pag hindi kasama sa listahan, welcome (to join PDP-Laban),” said Alvarez.
He yesterday invited to join the President’s party Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and son, Arthur Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo).
There was no immediate response from the governor who was present. Alvarez said the invitation did not carry a specific timeline or deadline.
He would further discuss the invitation with the governor, he said.
The Defensors are affiliated with the Liberal Party (LP). In a recent interview, the governor said he did not have plans to leave his party.
The induction of some 4,000 new local PDP-Laban members was held at the Iloilo Convention Center yesterday.
Alvarez said he did not have any idea about the so-called three “factions” of PDP-Laban in Iloilo – the Ganzon, Gonzalez and Treñas groups.
“As far as I am concerned, ang PDP-Laban dito si (Cong.) Jerry Treñas,” he said.
Mabilog and Treñas previously belonged to the LP. Treñas transferred to PDP-Laban weeks after Duterte won the presidency last year. Mabilog, on the other hand, resigned from the LP just this May and is now an independent.
The Gonzalez faction of PDP-Laban is reportedly led by Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, wife of the late Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. She reportedly took their oath as party member before Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
The Ganzon faction, on the other hand, is allegedly headed by Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon. He previously claimed he was asked by no less than the President to join the ruling party.
Alvarez said he had no idea about Gonzalez joining PDP-Laban through Pimentel.
“I have to check the list, hindi ko talaga alam,” he said./PN
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