Duterte party woos members of incoming 17th Congress

MANILA, Philippines - The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte, wooed members of the 17th Congress in a bid to get solid legislative support.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Nograles said it is just right for the members of the 17th Congress to join Duterte and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who is expected to become the next speaker under a new majority party.

Nograles told members of the Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA) that he had met last Tuesday with members of the House Mindanao bloc and some of them transferred to PDP-Laban.

Nograles, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), and Alvarez met some NLA members in Quezon City to convince them to transfer to their party.

He pointed out that the Mindanao bloc immediately showed support for Duterte and Alvarez, who both come from Mindanao.

“There should be no questions asked… first time in history  that we have a president from Mindanao, first time in history that we have a speaker from Mindanao,” he said.

Some Liberal Party (LP) stalwarts who also belong to the NLA were reluctant to leave their party and refused to take the oath of allegiance with the PDP-Laban.

Among LP members who joned the ruling party were Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Eric Singson, Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rosemarie Arenas and Abra Rep. JB Bernos.  

Nograles admitted that he was asked by Duterte to call each congressman to get their support during the campaign.

He expects the PDP-Laban to get the support of a majority of congressmen.

During the meeting with the NLA members, 22 incoming congressmen signed a manifesto expressing their support for Duterte and Alvarez.

Among those who signed were Reps. Rodito Albano, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Ana Cristina Go, Ronald Cosalan, Singson, Rudy Fariñas, Dax Cua, Randolp Ting, Marlyn Agabas, Baby Alfonso, Maximo Dalog, Conrado Estrella III, Bernos, Sandra Eriguel, Leopoldo Bataoil, Romeo Acop, Imelda Marcos, Napoleon Dy, DV Savellano, Christopher de Venecia and Arenas.

ANAC-IP party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban Sr. also signed the manifesto.   

Alvarez said that Duterte would push for the revival of the death penalty and seek amendments to the Constitution.

He said that the congressmen’s support to him and to Duterte would be a big help in the changes they want to make for the Filipino people.