MANILA, Philippines — An official of the National Unity Party (NUP) on Monday said Davao Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno should have positions in the political party.
“We would like Paolo Duterte to take a position,” said NUP Deputy Secretary-General Brian Yamsuan in a press conference.
The presidential son is an adopted member of NUP while Moreno is a member and former deputy secretary-general for public affairs.
READ: Paolo Duterte now a member of National Unity Party
The NUP is set to hold an oath-taking ceremony for new members and elect its new officials on Tuesday (Aug 6) at a hotel in Quezon City, Yamsuan said. Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro recently resigned as NUP president and member.
READ: Capiz Rep. Castro says he resigned as NUP president out of delicadeza
“He’ll (Moreno) be there and like Paolo Duterte, I’d like for him to take a position,” Yamsuan said.
Antipolo Rep. Roberto Puno said the NUP now has 50 members, in the House, seven of whom are party-list lawmakers and 43 are district representatives. Of the 50, 25 are new, and only Paolo and the seven party-list congressmen were adopted and could still retain their local party affiliations.
“The National Unity Party does not intend to go far beyond its current numbers,” said Puno, an NUP member and brother of party chair Ronaldo Puno. He also said the party was not actively recruiting members, but some are applying.
While Puno believes Duterte’s move to join their party persuaded others to jump ship, Yamsuan clarified that they are not competing with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan to become the ruling party in the chamber.
Paolo as House Speaker?
Puno shot down speculation that Paolo joined NUP because he wanted to become Speaker after the 15-month term of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano ends.
“That’s your speculation. I have not heard of that,” Puno said.
READ: Paolo Duterte: Elect a new Speaker after Cayetano’s 15-month term
Paolo previously revealed a plan to vie for the Speaker post, but withdrew from the race and supported Cayetano instead in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish./TSB
READ: Vote of 266 for Cayetano leaves no doubt about Duterte persuasion