The Cusi wing of the PDP-Laban expelled Senator Manny Pacquiao from the political party for filing his certificate of candidacy under another group.

PDP secretary-general Melvin Matibag confirmed this to the Daily Manila Shimbun in a text message on Sunday.

''Yes, he (Pacquiao) has been expelled,'' said Matibag.

In a statement, Matibag said the PDP Laban National Executive Committee met on October 1. ''A resolution was adopted automatically expelling Senator Pacquiao in accordance with the party constitution,'' it said.

Pacquiao filed his certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 elections under the Progessive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) which is based in Cebu on October 1.

Matibag said under the PDP-Laban constitution, the filing of a member of a certificate of candidacy under another political party is a ground for automatic expulsion.

Pacquiao's faction and that of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi each claim to be the rightful PDP-Laban.

The Cusi faction held a national assembly in Pampanga where they nominated Senator Bong Go for president and President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president.

Go refused the presidential nomination but Duterte accepted, only to announce his withdrawal on Oct. 2. Go agreed to run for vice president.

Pacquiao's wing held its own national convention and nominated the legendary boxer as its presidential candidate. But after he filed his certificate of nomination on Oct. 1, Pacquiao said he filed under PROMDI as he admitted there are problems with the certificate of nomination and acceptance their group filed.

The Commission on Elections is set to rule on this leadership issue within the PDP-Laban. DMS