HPS to still convince Duterte to run for prexy
LEADERS of Hugpong Para kay Sara (HPS) on Thursday said they will use the next two weeks before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) to convince President Rodrigo “Rody” Roa Duterte to reconsider his plan to run for vice president under the ruling party’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
HPS chairman Anthony del Rosario, a former Davao del Norte governor, said the next two weeks will “give us sufficient time to persuade the President to give way to Mayor Sara [Duterte], since there was an agreement between the father and daughter that only one Duterte can run for a national post.”
“President Duterte started good programs, but that is not to say there is nothing to be improved,” Del Rosario said. “No government is perfect, and even the President himself said he wished he could finish a number of projects that he started during his term. Our movement has high hopes that we can convince PRRD not to run as VP so that the best person for the job of continuing these projects, and even adding her own, can consider running.”
HPS has been urging Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to take over when her father steps down in June 2022,
Del Rosario, spokesman and secretary general of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), revealed that the groundswell of mass-based support for Mayor Duterte’s candidacy continues to mount as evidenced by requests from all over the country for oath-taking ceremonies, preparatory to joining the HPS.
“This morning (Thursday), I just got a call from Governor Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija and many of his barangay officials are requesting that they sign up for the HPS,” Del Rosario said. “We now have more than 10,000 members, and still growing. With the daily increase of adherents to our cause, we believe we can respectfully convince the President.”
HPS, a citizens movement comprising of various groups, academe, lawmakers and marginalized sector, is formed to convince Mayor Duterte to run for the highest post of the land.
Queried whether HPS will seek an audience, or write to President Duterte to appeal their case, Del Rosario said “it is still a bit too early” to talk to the President. Our game plan right now is simply to gather support, and we’ll see what happens from there.”
The number of organizations and individuals in the country and overseas throwing their support for HPS continue to increase with chapters in the National Capital Region (NCR), and other regions, including supporters worldwide in the Middle east, Canada and the USA.
Del Rosario and other officers of HPS launched the citizen’s movement Monday, where thousands of members to their oath in a virtual ceremony.
Aside from del Rosario, other officers at the launch included Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, secretary general; Robert Nazal, vice chairman; Allan Yap, president; Rep. Eric Yap, VP for Finance; Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos, VP for Special Concerns; and Kristopher Peralta, treasurer. Other HPS members who took their oath were Ret. Gen.Dionisio Santiago, former Dangerous Drugs Board chief; and Phil. Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez.
HPS is led by its chairman emeritus, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
