Sara-Bong Go tandem ‘impossible’ – Hugpong

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, does not see the possibility of her running for president in tandem with Sen. Bong Go because “it does not make political sense.”

“From the point of view of HNP and of course, Mayor Sara, it does not make political sense to have a tandem coming from the same area,” Anthony del Rosario, HNP secretary general, said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News and TV5 Friday night.

“Since they (Duterte-Carpio and Go) both come from the same area, more so Davao City, so it is not possible,” he added, noting that the HNP – although a regional party – understands that the presidency requires a nationwide campaign.

Even if the idea of a Sara Duterte-Bong Go tandem came from President Duterte himself, Del Rosario said: “I do not think it is going to happen.”

The HNP, he said, knows that Duterte-Carpio makes her own decisions, and that is why even if she has been topping surveys on potential candidates for president in next year’s elections, she is giving herself some time to think it over.

“Notwithstanding her unconditional love for her father, our chairperson, Mayor Sara, reiterated once again to HNP that she will make her own decision on the matter of her run for the presidency at her own time. She likewise informed HNP that her decision on the matter will be her own, and will never be based on what other people or other political parties want, do or say,” Del Rosario said.

“And whatever she will decide whether she will seek reelection as Davao City mayor or run for president, it will be her decision and I believe she will stick by her decision. It is very rare that she flip-flops,” he added.

The HNP also distanced itself from the infighting within the President’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDD-Laban), which is expected to hold its national convention on Sept. 8.

Del Rosario said the HNP steers clear of the PDP-Laban’s internal politics and that Duterte-Carpio has stressed she is not joining any political party other than HNP. – Robertzon Ramirez