4 PDP-Laban solons jump ship to NUP

Four House lawmakers from the ruling PDP-Laban party on Wednesday transferred to the administration-allied National Unity Party (NUP).

During a small gathering of NUP members, Deputy Speakers Neptali "Boyet" Gonzales II and Dan Fernandez, as well as La Union Representative Sandra Eriguel and Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rolando "Clarex" Uy took their oaths before NUP president Elpidio Barzaga.

Three lawmakers from PDP-Laban take oath as new members of the National Unity Party: Mandaluyong Rep. Nepali “Boyet” Gonzales II, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, and La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/BaBFDO1aWK

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) February 5, 2020

This brings the total number of NUP members in the House to 60, of which 48 are district representatives, 12 are from party-list groups, and one is an honorary member --- presidential son and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte.

Barzaga said the NUP has always been aligned with the administration, and having more numbers will help fast-track the approval of administration-backed measures.

"The more numbers we have, the better coordination, it would be easier to pass the legislation which is necessary insofar as the country is concerned and also the programs of the President," he said.

Gonzales said he decided to jump ship to the NUP because he saw the party remaining strong regardless of the outcome of any presidential election.

"I've seen political parties come and go. And nakikita ko, bagaman ang NUP ay nagsimula lang nung 2011, pero over the years ay nakita na nananatili silang matibay regardless of the outcome of any presidential campaign. Meaning, they are not affected," he said.

"Aside from the fact na halos itong lahat ay mga kaibigan namin, at kami ay naimbitahan, at nararamdaman namin na kahit kami ay tagalabas sa NUP ay nararamdaman namin sila. We'd like to be home to a political party that we can consider to be our final home," he added.

For his part, Fernandez said he joined NUP in his pursuit to support the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"By doing that, we need a closer coordination with a lot of congressmen. It so happened that we are so close with the NUP guys. That's the reason why I personally really wanted to transfer to NUP," he said.

Witnessing the oath-taking of the new members were top NUP officials headed by its chairman and former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Vice Chairman for Internal Affairs and Antipolo 1st District Representative Roberto Puno, Vice President for Luzon and Bulacan 2nd District Representative Gavini Pancho, Treasurer and Cavite 6th District Representative Luis Ferrer IV, Deputy Secretary General for Public Affairs and House Deputy Secretary General Brian Raymund Yamsuan, and Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Reginald Velasco. — RSJ, GMA News