PANTUKAN, Compostela Valley — The Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) will endorse political candidates who share the regional party’s vision of bringing progress to the Davao region and the country in general.
This was according to HNP founding chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who rallied the support of HNP for the senatorial bid of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senator JV Ejercito, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa, and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos during the mass oath-taking for the party’s new members in Pantukan, Compostela Valley province on Thursday.
Mayor Sara said HNP believes that Go, Marcos, and Ejercito can help the party achieve its vision for the region.
The decision to endorse candidates, Duterte-Carpio said, was already discussed with other HNP stalwarts – Governors Antonio del Rosario of Davao del Norte, Claude Bautista of Davao Occidental, Jayvee Tyron Uy of Compostela Valley, and Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental. The biggest consideration, she added, is on the candidate’s commitment to contribute to the development of the region.
For his part, Go said that while he appreciated the mayor’s endorsement, he dismissed speculations he would be gunning a seat in the Senate. Marcos and Ejercito, on the other hand, were thankful for HNP’s support to their planned senate bid.
HNP has earlier endorsed the senatorial bid of Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Mangudadato and Senator Cynthia Villar.
On Thursday, HNP accepted about 2,500 barangay and municipal official officials from 11 Compostela Valley municipalities.
Governor Uy, who organized the mass oath-taking, said that nearly 3,000 barangay and municipal officials attended the event held at the Pantukan Gym.
Duterte-Carpio thanked the Compostela Valley officials for their commitment and support to the HNP. She said HNP should speak in one voice for the good of the Davao region, which is being positioned by the party as a development hub in the country. (Lilian Mellejor/PNA)
