Duterte son resigns from party founded by father

DAVAO CITY—Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has resigned from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, the local political party that his father, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, founded several years ago.

The younger Duterte said he was no longer happy with the party, which had repeatedly failed to recognize his contribution.

“Unhappily, the current leadership of the Hugpong does not seem to recognize nor see the effort and determination that I have invested in the service of the Hugpong, thus I feel that the current leadership is intentionally turning a blind eye to my contribution to the cause,” Paolo said in a letter, which he sent to Hugpong secretary general lawyer Jesus Melchor Quitain. Copies of the letter were made available to reporters here on Thursday.

“Although it is a great honor and privilege to be a member of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party, I am compelled to offer my resignation as a member, effective immediately,” he added.

His resignation came after his father publicly said that Hugpong had considered to field either Councilors Leo Avila, Edgar Ibuyan, Louie John Bonguyan, or Mabel Acosta as vice mayoralty bet.

The older Duterte also said he would be forced to seek reelection if his daughter and former mayor, Sara Duterte, would not run for the same position in 2016.

Paolo, who had been very open about his intention to succeed his father as mayor, said “recent events have persuaded me to carefully examine the direction my political career is taking. Hence, my decision to resign from the Hugpong.”

“I feel that my presence is unappreciated and unacknowledged and sometimes even unwelcome to the current leadership of the party. It is time to change the direction of my political career,” he added.

Reacting to his son’s announcement, the older Duterte said: “Is he a member of the party?”

“Why did he resign? What particular reason?” the mayor added.

He said Paolo must be hurt after misinterpreting his earlier statement declaring that Hugpong’s vice mayor slot was open to other members.

The mayor said this was because Paolo was being considered for the mayoralty if Sara would not run.

“If Inday (Sara) continues to refuse the mayor’s post as she consistently does these days, then it follows that he (Paolo) will have to run for mayor,” the older Duterte said. “That’s why I declared Hugpong’s vice mayor slot open,” he explained. Judy Quiros, Germelina Lacorte/RC