NUP elects new officers, inducts newcomers

The National Unity Party (NUP) on Tuesday elected its new set of officers and inducted at least 15 congressmen into their group.

During their annual meeting held in a hotel in Quezon City, the NUP elected Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga as president of the party.

Barzaga replaced Capiz Representative Fredenil Castro after the latter resigned out of "delicadeza" after he supported the speakership bid of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, who now holds the majority leadership at the House.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has been elected vice chairman for political affairs.

Previously, Moreno held the position of deputy secretary general of the party, being part of an allied local party, Asenso Manileño.

"Malaking bagay in such a way na marami kaming mahinging tulong from the national government's resource that we can pool and direct to local government unit like the City Manila," Moreno told reporters in an ambush interview following his election.

The following are the officers of the NUP:

JUST IN: Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga has been elected as the new president of the National Unity Party.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has been elected as vice chairman for political affairs. pic.twitter.com/Bj8wVSZz8L

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) August 6, 2019

The NUP also saw an increase in its membership following the 2019 midterm elections.

From the previous 25, membership of the party ballooned to 57 after several congressmen from various political blocs in the House transferred to NUP. This number includes 45 district congressmen and 12 others from allied party-lists.

Notable new members of the party include Minority Leader Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., Samar Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento, Manila Representative John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, Quezon City Representative Onyx Crisologo, Isabela Representative Antonio Albano, and City of San Jose del Monte Representative Rida Robes.

NUP chairman, former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, attributes the increase in their membership to the "camaraderie" seen among the long-time members of the party, as well as their support for Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

"Our membership doubled because I think mainly of the support for Speaker Cayetano. Many of us have worked together during the early days of the Congress to help elect the new Speaker. So I think camaraderie led to an increase in our members," he said.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to help the President and the Speaker move the agenda of the country forward," Puno added.

Antipolo Representative Roberto Puno has earlier said that his fellow deputy speaker, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, has been adopted as a member of NUP.

Paolo, however, was not present during the meeting. He likewise need not take oath as member of the party due to his "adopted" membership status. —KBK, GMA News