Joseph Estrada, Sara Duterte form alliance for 2019 elections

CHARM OFFENSIVE Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada appears to be amusing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, eliciting smiles from Harry Roque, Imee Marcos, Jinggoy Estrada and other politicians, as they forge a political alliance with President Duterte’s daughter. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has formed an alliance with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada for next year’s elections.

On Monday, Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago formally merged with Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

Estrada, who is up for reelection, called the move historic and aimed at serving Filipinos.

Hugpong, according to Duterte, was a regional party that was formed to strengthen the voices of Davaoeños.

“We united Davao Region into one political party,” she said.

At the same time, Duterte, whose father ran on an anticrime and anticorruption campaign, also endorsed senatorial candidates whom she believed would help his cause.

Senatorial bets

They included former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada who are all facing plunder charges; former Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos; former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque; ex-presidential adviser Francis Tolentino and Sen. Sonny Angara who is seeking reelection.

“Hugpong is going around different areas in the country to ask friends like you to help and unite behind a senatorial lineup that would help [the] President until the end of his term in 2022,” Duterte said.