Sotto hopeful for Bakud’s support for NPC

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is confident that the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya party of the Duranos will eventually support the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero and the entire slate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

“I think so, hopefully. Obviously with Ace Durano as our campaign manager, it would be awkward for the Duranos to support somebody else,” said Sotto, who is among the senatorial candidates of NPC.

The Bakud Party allied with the Liberal Party in the 2013 elections.

Last year, fifth district Representative Ace Durano confirmed that he will be supporting Poe and Escudero and that he is now the provincial chairman of NPC.

He said though that the rest of the party has yet to decide whom to support in the coming election, but assured that their support for LP members, re-electionists Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale will remain. Magpale is a member of the Durano clan and the Bakud Party. 

Last October 1, Poe and Escudero visited Danao City where Ramon “Nito” Durano III, Bakud Party’s chairman, together with the majority of the mayors and vice mayors in the fifth district, welcomed them in his residence in Danao City.

NPC or Team “Gobyernong may Puso” is expected to have a grand rally in Cebu on April 5.

“Maybe, before the grand rally, Bakud Party will announce their decision,” said Sotto.

The entire fifth district has a total voting population of 350,000.

Meanwhile, Sotto believes that Poe will not be disqualified from the presidential race.

Sotto said if Poe is disqualified on the ground that she is not a natural-born Filipino citizen because she is a foundling, then all foundlings in the country are not natural-born citizens and are therefore stateless individuals.

“I am optimistic that Grace will hurdle this court battle,” Sotto said.

“Pag sinabi ng Supreme Court na  hindi natural born si Grace, lahat ng foundlings dahil hindi ma-identify yung pa-rents nila, lahat na nasa orphanages, lahat na pinamigay, lahat ng pulot, lahat na adopted na hindi alam ang kanilang parents ay hindi natural born and this is nationwide. Pulot na nga aapihin mo pa,” the senator added.   (FREEMAN)