Senator Robin Padilla has temporarily stepped down as president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) to focus on his legislative duties in the upcoming 20th Congress.
The party announced on Monday that Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, currently serving as PDP Laban’s executive vice president, will assume the presidency following the party’s rule of succession.
In a letter to PDP Laban Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi, Padilla emphasized that his decision aims to allow him to fully concentrate on advancing the party’s legislative priorities in the Senate, especially as the new Congress opens.
The leadership transition follows the conclusion of the May 2025 midterm elections. Meanwhile, PDP Laban’s chairman remains former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague facing charges related to human rights violations during his administration.