Sara Duterte ‘overwhelmed’ by Pampanga crowd

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chair, said she was “overwhelmed” by the support the administration party received in Pampanga during the launch of their campaign caravan here on Tuesday.

The local party Kambilan gave her a symbolic key while HNP handed a wooden insignia before House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda raised the hands of the HNP senatorial candidates.

The Luzon leg of the administration party’s proclamation rally in this vote-rich province drew some 20,000 people.

Carpio formed the political party in 2018 in support of her father, President Duterte. She was reported to be instrumental in convincing lawmakers to back Arroyo for the House speakership, though both refused to confirm this.

The presidential daughter was joined by the HNP senatorial bets, including Bong Revilla, Bato de la Rosa, Sen. JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Francis Tolentino, Sen. Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, Jiggy Manicad, and Christopher “Bong” Go. /lzb

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Hugpong ng Pagbabago chair, addresses the crowd during the launch of the campaign caravan of the administration party’s in Pampanga on Tuesday. PHOTO BY TONETTE OREJAS