Philippine ruling political party names new chief

Manila, July 18 (IANS) The Philippines' ruling party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), elected Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as the new President.President Rodrigo Duterte, the party chair, led the national assembly on Saturday held in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province north of Manila, reports Xinhua news agency. In his speech at the assembly, Duterte thanked his party members for their continued support of his leadership."Your presence here sends a clear and resounding message to everyone that our party is as strong as ever and that we are united in further consolidating our ranks until the end of my term and beyond," Duterte said.Duterte, 76, ends his single six-year term in June 2022. The PDP-Laban has been the ruling party since 2016 under the Duterte administration.
--IANS ksk/