Hugpong won’t seek support of religious groups — Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) will not seek the support of major religious groups for the May midterm elections, Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Wednesday.

Duterte-Carpio, HNP’s chairperson, said she will let her party’s senatorial candidates decide individually whether they will solicit the support of religious groups or not.

“As a group hindi, kasi hindi naman sila members ng HNP at baka hindi pumayag na ganun ang gagawin namin. Sinabihan namin sila na individually sila na lang or as a party. Meron tayong NPC, PDP-Laban sa mga slate natin,” the presidential daughter said.

(As a group, we are not [seeking the support of religious groups] because some [of our candidates] are not members of HNP, so they may not agree. We told our candidates they can decide individually. We have NPC, PDP-Laban candidates in our slate.)

“As a party sila dapat ‘yung pumunta doon sa mga kailangan nilang kausapin to solicit support (As a party, they should talk to them to solicit support),” she added.

HNP is endorsing the candidacy of 13 pro-administration senatorial candidates.

Earlier, reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito expressed confidence that he will win the support of religious groups, citing how he performed in the previous Congress.

READ: Ejercito confident of winning religious groups’ support in May polls

Courting religious groups like the Iglesia Ni Cristo has been the norm for most political parties in every election. /ee

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