Davao City Mayor Duterte to launch Hugpong in Albay

Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte. (file photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

LEGAZPI CITY — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is expected to arrive on Sunday in this city to launch the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party of which she is the founding chair.

The party’s provincial coordinator, Mayor Herbie Aguas of Sto. Domingo town, said that preparation was all in place for the launching of the party at the Legazpi City Convention Center here on Sunday.

In a phone interview, Aguas said the launching would be attended by some 5,000 participants, mostly from Albay with some representatives from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.

Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal will welcome the presidential daughter at a program that will start at 8 a.m.

According to Aguas, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go is also expected to join the Davao City mayor in Albay.

Aguas, who will end his term next year as town mayor, has announced his plan to run for a seat in the House of Representatives in the first district of the province under Hugpong in the 2019 elections.

Aguas will challenge incumbent Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman of the Liberal Party.

New members will forge an alliance with Hugpong at the launching.

Earlier, Ako Bicol party-list also forged an alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago. /atm