Duterte welcome to join Hugpong ng Pagbabago —party official

There will be no "conflict" if ever President Rodrigo Duterte decides to join the regional party of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, according to Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario.

Interviewed on News To Go on Friday, Del Rosario — secretary general of Sara Duterte's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HP) party — said members of national parties are allowed to join them.

"Wala namang conflict kasi 'yung partido namin is a regional party. Our constitution and bylaws allow for a member of a national party to be a member of Pagbabago. So wala namang conflict 'yun," he said.

"Ang requirement lang naman sa constitution and bylaws namin is the member has to be a voter in the region. Ang ating Presidente, voter ho siya ng Davao City," he added.

Del Rosario said the party is set to hold a program on Friday afternoon but there is no word if President Duterte will take his oath there, although he said the President is "welcome" to take his oath as a new member.

"Sa ngayon ang activity natin mayroon tayong orientation ngayong umaga and mamayang hapon po mag-uumpisa 'yung programa natin. Sa programa natin mamaya wala namang nabanggit na manunumpa ang Presidente pero siyempre welcome ho siya kung gusto niya manumpa," he said.

Asked on the possibility of HP entering into a coalition with the ruling PDP-Laban where President Duterte is national chairman, Del Rosario said, "Anything is possible."

Del Rosario, meanwhile, said the party has decided to endorse eight senatoriables in next year's midterm elections but refused to name them. He said some names may be added after the period of filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) is over.

"[Batay] sa aming huling pag-uusap kasama si Mayor Sara, we will  wait for after the filing of COC kasi meron iba na interesadong tumakbong senador pero hindi natin alam kung tutuloy sila," he said.

So far, the group has said it will support the candidacy of Senator Cynthia Villar and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.

"Senator Villar and Governor Imee are will definitely be on the list of senator candidates that we will endorse," Del Rosario said. "For the remaining slot 'di na ako magsasabi kasi baka ma-preempt 'yung final discussion."

Villar's Nacionalista Party and Marcos' Ilocano Timpuyog, as well as Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda's Kambilan, have signed a coalition agreement with HP. —KBK, GMA News