Sara’s HNP ironing out issues on coalition with other political parties — party exec

Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's regional party, is still ironing out "issues," including choosing candidates and campaign protocols, before formally creating an alliance with five political parties in time for Eleksyon 2022.

"Unfortunately, we have not ironed it out. There are issues that need to be ironed out before we proceed with the signing ceremony with the party," said HNP secretary general Anthony del Rosario in an online press conference, adding that they are still evaluating the memorandum of agreement to come up with a unified version of forming an alliance with the parties.

So far, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, and the People’s Reform Party have given intention to form a coalition with Sara's party

Asked about the specific issues being looked into, Del Rosario said they are also studying possible conflicts with campaigning especially if there will be an instance that there will be rivals between two political parties which are allies with HNP.

"It is an issue that could really happen in 2022 where you might see in a province, a Lakas governor running against an NUP governor. So these are both allies of HNP so how will we address this?" Del Rosario said in mixed Filipino and English.

"We are looking for common ground that everybody may be happy with so that we can proceed with the signing," he added.

National candidates

Before formally signing the alliance, Del Rosario said they are also considering the process of choosing candidates for president, vice president as well as senators.

"That's an issue that remains in the sense that some parties are suggesting one way of choosing while other parties are suggesting another method or another process," the HNP official explained.

The HNP was formed Sara in 2018. She acts as party chairperson.

Visit to Cebu only work-related

Asked about the reception of Cebuanos to Sara's visit in the province amid her openness for the presidential bid, Del Rosario maintained that the Davao City mayor's trip was only "work-related."

He said Sara only consulted Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia's inputs in transitioning the Cebu International Airport Authority as Davao's International Airport will also soon be changed to Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA).

"They (Duterte and Garcia) talked about the shift to Cebu International Airport Authority because in Congress, they recently passed a bill creating the Davao International Airport Authority... because of that, there is going to be a change or transition from Davao International Airport being under CAAP to the DIAA," Del Rosario pointed out, partly in Filipino.

In her Cebu visit, Sara told the media that she is open to run for the presidential post despite her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, consistently asking her not to do so.

Asked about Sara's next destination, Del Rosario said Sara is currently in Zamboanga City where she is meeting with the city mayor, Beng Climaco.

"As of the moment, I don't have details yet on her visit there but I know they have scheduled meetings. I don't know about other activities of Mayor Sara," he said. — RSJ, GMA News