Sara Duterte on Hugpong 13: Voters, choose your own 12

All 13 senatorial candidates running under Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) requested to be endorsed by the party, and all of them were taken in the slate.

Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte made the remark on Wednesday as she explained why her regional party is endorsing 13 senatorial candidates instead of the usual 12.

"Meron kaming 13 senatorial candidates dahil 13 sila na lumapit at humingi ng tulong na kung pwede ay tulungan sila sa kampanya nila para sa 2019 elections," Duterte told reporters in an ambush interview in Mariveles, Bataan, where the party held a campaign event.

Senatorial candidates running under HNP include former broadcaster Jiggy Manicad, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, Senator JV Ejercito, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

Along with them are House Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano, Senator Cynthia Villar, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Senator Sonny Angara, Maguindanao Representative Dong Mangudadatu, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and former Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

Only 12 senatorial seats are needed to be filled in the upcoming elections.

Duterte said she would let the public decide who among her party's 13 candidates they will give a slot at the Senate.

"Ibinibigay na namin sa mga tao, sa mga individual voters, kung sino yung 12 na pipiliin nila sa 13 candidates na tinutulungan ng Hugpong ng Pagbabago," she said.

Duterte pointed out that they do not mention in their campaign sorties that they are endorsing 13 candidates.

"If you can listen sa mga rallies namin, hindi namin sinasabi yun, pine-present lang kaagad kandidato at hinahayaan namin ang mga botante na pumili sa mga candidates na nasa stage," she said.

But if she were to pick her 12 senators, Duterte said she would only look for three criteria.

"[Una], track record. Pangalawa, kung ano sinasabi niya na gagawin niya sa Senado para sa pag-unlad ng bayan. Pangatlo, pagsuporta sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte," she said.

Candidates under HNP kicked-off their campaign in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday, graced no less than by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. —NB, GMA News