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Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) Pacquiao faction on Sunday ousted President Rodrigo Duterte and elect Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as the new party chairman.

PDP-Laban held a national council meeting yesterday afternoon to elect Senator Pimentel as the new chairman of National and regional officers, and national committee chairman, while former Gov. Lutgardo Barbo as Vice Chairman, PDP-Laban National Executive Director and Chairman of the Public Information Committee Ron Munsayac said in a press statement.

“We will be issuing an official statement and video of the National Council meeting this afternoon,” he added.

Munsayac also said that Senator Manny Pacquiao is still considered at the party president.

Pacquiao is on his way home to the Philippines after his fight last week in Los Angeles against Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas.

Pimentel is the son of one of the founders of PDP-Laban, the late Sen. Nene Pimentel.

The other faction of the party, led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and which is backed by President Duterte had ousted Pacquiao as president during a gathering in July. Cusi was elected as replacement.

Pimentel, a long-time member of the party, said then that the “existing PDP-Laban leadership” does not recognize the July national assembly held in Clark, Pampanga.

The rift among members of PDP-Laban surfaced in March after efforts by some to seek support for a 2022 vice presidential bid of Duterte made rounds.

Pacquiao is rumored to be eyeing the country’s highest office next year.

Filing of candidacy for the 2022 national elections opens on Oct. 1.