Davao City Mayor Inday Sarah Duterte PHOTO/Edwin Bacasmas, PDI
The regional political party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte advised their supporters outside the Davao region to form their own local parties or join other parties.
Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) on Friday stressed that they are recognized as a regional political party whose members are from Region XI (Davao region).
The statement was issued after Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos floated the possibility that political figures from Northern Luzon would form an alliance with HNP.
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“Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) is a regional political party whose members are from Region XI,” the political party said. “HNP does not intend to recruit members of PDP Laban or other national political parties.”
“While the Party 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,” it added.
Likewise, HNP said it is ready to assist PDP Laban “if there is anything that HNP can do to help” the party chaired by Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte.
“HNP respects the history, experience, and the wisdom of the PDP Laban Party. HNP finds it truly unfortunate that PDP Laban is embroiled in internal problem and hopes that competing party members resolve their differences,” the party said.
“HNP is offering a hand of friendship to all other political parties who support the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte,” it also said.
To recall, the Comelec only granted HNP’s application to be formally recognized as a regional political party in the Davao region.