Sara Duterte: HNP will not become a national party

Hugpong Ng Pagbabago Founder/Chairman Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the campaign rally at San Juan City on February 27, 2019. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Thursday that she has no plans to turn pro-administration Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) into a national party.

“Sa simula palang ang intent ng HNP is to become a regional party,” Duterte-Carpio told reporters at the sidelines of the party’s campaign sortie in Pateros, Manila.

Duterte-Carpio explained that HNP aims to strengthen Davao and made a promise to improve the lives of Davaoeños.

“HNP was intended to strengthen Davao, the regional level. May promise kami sa mga tao dun na holistic yung pag-ayos ng Davao,” the Presidential daughter said.

Duterte-Carpio left the HNP’s campaign sortie in Pateros, Manila earlier than expected as she is set to attend the burial of late University of the East Law Dean Willard Riano, who passed away last Feb. 22.

She disclosed that Riano, who was former dean of San Sebastian College-Recolletos, helped her to enter San Sebastian College to finish her law degree.

Duterte-Carpio, however, is still expected to attend HNP’s campaign event in Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. /je