HNP exec: ‘There’s still hope’ that Duterte might reconsider his VP bid
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) still believes that President Rodrigo Duterte might reconsider his plan to run for vice president in the 2022 elections to give way to his daughter’s possible presidential bid, an officer of the Davao-based regional party said on Wednesday.
HNP secretary general Anthony del Rosario told CNN Philippines’ The Source that while the President and his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte have agreed that only one of them will run for a national position in 2022, and he has expressed interest in running for vice president, the President might change his mind.
“Eh sa aming nakikita po, although the President has already accepted the nomination of his party PDP-Laban to run as vice president, we still believe there is still hope that the President might reconsider his plans for 2022 and hopefully give way for the possibility of Mayor Sara running for president,” he said.
“Right now, it’s still early to talk to the President about our desires in the organization. I think the first step really here is just to get members…to join the organization,” he added.
Duterte has accepted PDP-Laban’s endorsement to run for vice president in tandem with Sen. Bong Go. His daughter eventually announced that she would not seek the presidency as she is not in favor of two Dutertes running for national positions.
Del Rosario noted that a lot can still happen in three weeks, ahead of the filing of certificate of candidacy, or COC, for 2022 aspirants.
The Commission on Elections has set the one-week filing of COCs for all elective positions from October 1 to 8.
Del Rosario, who also serves as vice chairman of the recently launched Hugpong Para kay Sara, also said that the rising support for the citizen movement would hopefully show that many people want Mayor Duterte to run for president and continue her father’s programs.
