Pacquiao set to join Labor Party — party official

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

**2022 SURE CANDIDATES:** Shariff Ibrahim H. Albani, a Senatorial incoming LPP official candidate representing BaSulTa (Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) and the whole of Bangsamoro region vows to support the Presidential Candidacy of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao in 2022 Presidential Elections. (Contributed Photo)

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is all set to join the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP), according to one of the national officers of the LPP on Wednesday.

Shariff Ibrahim H. Albani who was designated as the LPP vice president for Visayas confirmed to the Philippine Muslim Today in an exclusive interview that Pacquiao will join the LPP when he comes home after his boxing championship fight in Las Vegas, USA.

**LPP STALWARTS:** Shariff Ibrahim Albani (2nd from right) leads members of the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) who call on Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and extended their full support when Pacquiao runs for President of the Republic of the Philippines in 2022. At extreme left is Prof. Butch Valdez, chairman of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) who also signified to fully support the presidential aspirations of Senator Pacquiao; while at extreme right is Bulu Chouldhury. (Contributed Photo)

Pacquiao is all set to have a boxing bout with Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas on August 21.

Earlier Jimuel, the son of Pacquiao has already joined the LPP as a member of the party and became the chairman of the youth affairs.

*Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr., also known as ‘Jimuel,’ with his father Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. (Contributed Photo)*

It can be noted on August 15, the Workers’ and Peasants Party (WPP) now known as the Labor Party of the Philippines is the 5th biggest political party accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), according to Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said LPP is chaired by lawyer Jose Malvar Villegas, Jr. at the same time the president; lawyer Ariel Joseph Arias, the secretary general who filed the Sworn Information Update Statement (SIUS) with the Comelec in accordance with Resolution No. 10695 promulgated 10 February 2021 directing registered political parties to file this document.

Dr. Oscar Morado, senior vice president of the party for operations, indeed also confirmed that Pacquiao’s son Jimuel was elected into the powerful Executive Committee as chairman of the Committee on Youth Affairs.

Ibrahim said the election of Jimuel is a welcome addition into the LPP’s build up for political battles.

As this developed, the officers named into the National Executive Council were lawyers Jose Malvar Villegas, Jr. and Ariel Joseph Arias; Prof. Oscar Morado; lawyer Mark Christopher Tolentino; Shariff Ibrahim Albani; Jimuel Pacquiao; Jerry Penalosa; Pierre Angeli Laborte Hernandez; Jeffrey Cayetano Catimbang; Algerico Lopez Isla; Joaquin Javier Borja; lawyer Faye Aguirre Singson; Gregorio Arcangel, Jr.; Engr. Herminio Camarin and Robert Lim.

Ibrahim also revealed that those listed as National Officers were the following: Chairman/President, Jose Malvar Villegas. Jr.; Secretary General, Ariel Joseph Arias; Senior Vice President for Operations, Oscar Morado; Vice President for NCR and Organization, Mark Christopher Tolentino; Vice President for Southern Luzon, Vice Gov. Imelda Papin; Vice President for Visayas, Shariff Ibrahim Albani; Vice President for Mindanao, Allan Montano; Vice President for Administration, Sonny Matula; and Treasurer, Russel Sobrepena.

Ibrahim also said that those who were named to the National Council will man the Committee chairmanship.

He said that moving forward as the Party pillars into the 2022 election cycle, party personalities will be appropriately announced.

Ibrahim further said this team is bounded and fortified with doable and sustainable programs for the long deprived labor sector.

A labor government model which dotted enviable success imprints across the world.

“We envisaged to bring back the templates of fundamental core values, dignity, unity, peace, transparency and transcendence in governance. The fight continues. The moment is now.

We need your unrestrained support, guidance and prayers,” Ibrahim further said. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL