Pacquiao allowed to defend himself from PDP-Laban disloyalty allegations

Senator Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao will be allowed to defend himself from allegations of disloyalty to the PDP-Laban party.

PDP-Laban Secretary-General Melvin Matibag stated that Pacquiao denied allegations of planning to convert the regional People's Champ Movement into a national party.

Pacquiao asserted that the People's Champ Movement remains a local party and his allegiance to PDP-Laban is unquestionable.

Matibag had previously claimed Pacquiao should be expelled for allegedly presiding over a People's Champ Movement meeting where it resolved to convert into a national political party.

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, of the Pacquiao wing, had criticized the actions against Pacquiao, calling it "unpatriotic" and a distraction from his upcoming world championship boxing match.

Pimentel and Pacquiao assert they represent the legitimate PDP-Laban party.

The Cusi faction of PDP-Laban had previously replaced Pacquiao as party president with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.