• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Unfazed by the resignation of about 60 elected officials in Negros Occidental who are Partido Demokratikong Pilipino members, PDP deputy secretary general for Visayas, Atty. Jesus “Jayvee” Hinlo Jr. yesterday said that their core group in the province remains intact and is even expanding.
Regarding the PDP members of Negros Occidental who resigned, we respect and accept their decision. We wish them well, as we continue our own advocacies and remain with PDP, Hinlo said.
About 60 officials and members of the PDP Laban in Negros Occidental resigned en masse from the political party, its provincial chairman, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, disclosed Monday.
The PDP, which had dropped the Laban (Lakas ng Bayan) a couple of months ago, is chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Hinlo said those resigned PDP members are not with the group he established in 2014 to 2016, as he recalled that they had only two mayors then, former Salvador Benedicto Mayor Jomax Ortiz and former Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña.
The resigned PDP members, according to Hinlo, only came in when Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed the presidency.
As PDP members, Benitez recalled that they were not invited to any of its gatherings and meetings.
As of this time, Hinlo said they have yet to receive any copy of the resignation letter from the 60 PDP members.
Among the resigned members, Benitez said eight are mayors, five vice mayors, and the remaining elected officials are councilors. He however expects the number to increase, as others have also signified their intention to resign.
Hinlo said they are quietly recruiting new members.
Asked if former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, who is now a PDP member, has already decided to challenge incumbent Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson in the 2025 gubernatorial race, Hinlo said he is still in the process of consultation, and praying for guidance, considering that it will be a “big decision” for him.
In his anticipated meeting with top PDP national officials, Hinlo said he will soon know the guidance coming from former President Duterte.*
