Sara Duterte proclaims rival candidates in Davao del Sur as HnP bets

DIGOS CITY, Philippines — As if to avoid favoring one political candidate over the other, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte proclaimed rival candidates for mayor in Digos City and Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur as Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) bets on Tuesday.

In her message at HnP proclamation rally here Tuesday, Duterte proclaimed both Reynaldo Hermosisima and Nonito Llanos III as the regional party’s bets. The two are both running for the mayor’s seat in Digos City in the midterm elections in May.

Duterte also raised the hands of former Mayor Joel Ray Lopez of Santa Cruz town in Davao del Sur and Lopez’ contender for the seat, Alvin Rey “Dongkoy” Almendras.

By raising their hands, Sara declared the candidates as official bets of HnP for mayor in Digos City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Sara explained that recognizing two candidates vying for the same seat in a city or town means that HnP leaves voters the option to choose their mayor.

The Davao City mayor also vowed to help the province of Davao del Sur put up its own Malasakit Center and Botika ng Bayan.

She endorsed the senatorial bets of HnP after raising the hands of local candidates from all ten towns of Davao del Sur. /ee