MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared the faction of reelectionist Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as the “legitimate and official” Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) political party. In a five-page resolution promulgated on Nov. 21 and released yesterday, the Comelec recognized the sworn information update statement and the list of authorized signatures filed by Pimentel for the May 13, 2019 midterm polls. “In fact, candidates of PDP-Laban were recognized as such in the 2016 elections through the certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) signed by persons authorized by Pimentel,” the agency noted. “In view of the foregoing, the Commission shall maintain its recognition of the officers of Pimentel group as PDP-Laban’s legitimate officers authorized to act for and in behalf of PDP-Laban,” the resolution stated. Pimentel described the elections as a power grab that was not recognized by the Comelec.

Source: Philippine Star November 30, 2018 16:19 UTC