SC upholds Tamayo's group as PFP leaders

The Supreme Court has upheld the Commission on Elections' ruling recognizing Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.'s group as leaders of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), based on the party's 2022 constitution and by-laws.

This decision stems from a leadership dispute between Leandro Verceles and Antonio Rodriguez, who claimed leadership under the 2018 Constitution and By-Laws, and Tamayo's group, which argues their terms are valid until 2024 under the updated documents.

The Comelec ruled that Verceles and Rodriguez’s election in December 2023 was invalid due to a lack of notification to key party members including Marcos Jr., while Tamayo’s group maintains they remain the official officers until 2024.

In its decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that the 2022 Constitution and By-Laws are the prevailing authoritative documents governing the PFP.

The court noted that Verceles and Rodriguez did not object to the submission of the 2022 documents at the time they were filed by Tamayo’s group.

Tamayo, Thompson Lantion, and George Briones took their oaths as PFP President, Secretary General, and General Counsel, respectively, on September 18, 2021, under the party's 2022 Constitution and By-Laws which sets a three-year term for national officers.

This ruling reinforces Marcos Jr.'s allies as the official leaders of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, emphasizing their authority within the party.