Makabayan bloc may join Duterte’s House coalition

The Makabayan bloc on Friday said it may join the coalition supporting incoming President Rodrigo Duterte in the House of Representatives.

In a statement, coalition president Satur Ocampo said the Makabayan bloc has met with Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez Friday morning to explore probable areas of cooperation on legislative agenda.

"He's still in the process of cobbling a majority coalition in the House, which may include the Makabayan bloc. No definite terms have been agreed on yet, as the situation remains in flux," Ocampo said.

Alvarez is said to be Duterte's candidate as House Speaker. He is the secretary-general of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), while Duterte is the party's chairman.

The PDP-Laban has also forged an alliance with the Nacionalista Party (NP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), and Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). — Trisha Macas/RSJ, GMA News