DAVAO’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) on Monday, Aug. 13, sealed an alliance with three national parties and six local parties led in part by political personalities of national prominence.
Sealing their alliance with HNP, led by Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, were Sen. Cynthia A. Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP), former congressman Mark Llandro L. Mendoza of the National People’s Coalition (NPC), and Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil H. Castro of the National Unity Party (NUP).
Also joining the alliance from the local front are Norris C. Oculam of Alyansa Bol-anon Alang sa Kausaban from Bohol; Zamboanga del Norte 1st District Rep. Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos, Aggrupation of Party for Progress in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region; Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos, Ilocano Timpuyog, and NP-Ilocos Norte Chapter; Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda, Kambilan in Pampanga; lawyer Nadya Emano-Elipe, PaDayon Pilipino in Northern Mindanao; and Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy G. Belmonte, Serbisyo sa Bayan Party in Quezon City.
In her “message of commitment,” Ms. Villar said in part, “A formality is what this really is since you can say that ‘in principle’ we in HNP and NP have been aligned. In fact, we thank Mayor Sara Duterte sa pag-imbita at pagsama sa amin sa iba’t ibang panig ng Davao Region at iba pa [for inviting us and joining forces with us from different parts of the Davao Region and elsewhere].”
HNP in a statement said it is “offering a hand of friendship to all other political parties who support the administration of President Rodrigo (R.) Duterte.”
“While the [HNP] has supporters outside of Davao Region, we advise them to form their own local parties or join other national parties — the NUP, NP, NPC, or PDP-Laban,” the statement said. “HNP does not intend to recruit members of PDP Laban or other national political parties.”
The party also noted in its statement that it is duly accredited with the Commission on Elections.
Sought for comment, Senator and PDP-Laban president Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III said HNP’s new alliances have “no implication on us.”
“Congrats to them all,” the former Senate leader also said.
“HNP is a new entity, hence it is still expanding its network. During the speakership of [PDP-Laban secretary-general Pantaleon D.] Bebot Alvarez, PDP also signed agreements with all known [political] parties and [organizations] at that time,” Mr. Pimentel added.
Asked about the reported factionalism in PDP-Laban, Mr. Pimentel said “it is a figment of the imagination of some people. An image they want to keep alive in the media. We know it’s political season already. Hence, PDP shud not allow itself to be distracted by all these noise maneuverings and psywar tactics.” — with Camille A. Aguinaldo

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