Padilla said in a statement that he tendered his “irrevocable resignation” on May 29, 2023 to “concentrate on fulfilling my duties as senator.”
He said he will remain as a member of the political party.
“I believe my decision is for the good of the party and its members — and more importantly, for the Filipino people,” Padilla said.
“As an incumbent senator with a heavy mandate, I am aware that other duties — including my position as EVP of the party — must give way to my ability to fulfill my sworn duty to the people,” he added.
Padilla joined the party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, months before the 2022 national polls when he was elected as a lawmaker.
Padilla’s resignation as PDP-Laban official came amid rumors of destabilization against House Speaker Martin Romualdez, president of political party Lakas-CMD. The rumors surfaced following the demotion of Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from being the House of Representatives’ senior deputy speaker to a mere deputy speaker.
On May 19, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio resigned as Lakas-CMD’s chairperson. (SunStar Philippines)