Tolentino: Even ‘Hugpong’ Senate bets can be fiscalizers

Senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—Senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino assured the public that the pro-administation candidates will not just bow down to the authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, instead they can bloom as “fiscalizer” within Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Tolentino issued the remark after the opposition Otso Diretso team said that a Senate full of Duterte’s “yes men” would be detrimental to the country’s democracy.

READ: Otso: Senate full of Duterte allies not good for democracy

“Ang demokrasya naman kung ano ‘yung kagustuhan ng mamamayan eh. Within that democratic space siguro merong fiscalizer,” Tolentino told reporters Tuesday on the sidelines of HNP’s campaign sortie in Antipolo City.

“Kahit HNP ‘yon meron din namang magsasabi na ito hindi naman dapat gawin, so within HNP will bloom a fiscalizer,” he added.

HNP is the regional party of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The party is endorsing 13 senatorial candidates, all of whom are allies and supporters of the Duterte administration. /jpv