Davao del Norte gov leaves LP amid solons’ bickering

TAGUM CITY — Davao del Norte Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario has left the Liberal Party (LP) but said he was not joining the administration Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in his bid to bridge the gap between the province’s two bickering representatives.

Del Rosario, one of the last remaining LP members in the Davao region, said his decision not to commit to any party was due to the tension in the province following the falling-out between Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of the first congressional district and Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. of the second district.

“We can feel it. The tug-of-war between the two districts (is strong) and I cannot allow myself to be pulled by these two forces,” Del Rosario said.

The governor said being an independent politician would give him access to the two lawmakers, who are staunch supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Alvarez is PDP-Laban’s secretary general while Floirendo is with the local party Kusog Baryohanon. —Frinston Lim