Labella: Not just me ‘Hugpong endorses all Barug bets’

CEBU, Philippines — For Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the raising of his hand by Hugpong ng Pagbabago Chairwoman Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was not an endorsement of his candidacy alone, but of the entire slate of Partido Barug.

He said that Sara was supposed to raise the hands of all the candidates under Partido Barug during the HnP rally the other day, but in order not to interrupt the senatorial candidates who were delivering their respective speeches, she decided to raise his hand at the side of the stage.

“I think there was no more time to really raise it because after his speech…We just did it at the side of the stage in order not to disturb the other candidates delivering their speeches,” he said, adding that the raising of his hand was “on his behalf and the members of the group.”

In his Facebook post, Labella thanked Sara for the "trust and confidence."

Labella reiterated that the endorsement of HnP would help their candidacy in the upcoming May elections.

The hands of Labella and his running mate, former mayor Michael Rama, were also raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during the political rally last February 24.

“Of course, it would greatly help us, considerably help us considering the people are very supportive of the programs of the president as well as trust in the office of the presidential daughter, Mayor Sara, is doing very well in Davao, her kind of governance is effective and they are known to be really effective leaders,” Labella said.

He said Sara asked the party’s support for the candidacy of the senatorial bets under HnP who are incumbent senators Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, and also for Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former presidential assistant Bong Go, and former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Bong Revilla.

She also asked for support for deputy speaker and Taguig City-Pateros Second District Representative Pia Cayetano, former PNP chief Bato dela Rosa, Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, and former veteran broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad.

“Of course, importantly to support the candidates of HnP, to support her candidates and of course, we will support them and we were honored and humbled with their expression of support of the presidential daughter to us including myself,” Labella said.

However, Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan councilor Sisinio Andales said the endorsement of HnP and PDP-Laban of their political rivals is not a threat to them.

“I still believe that endorsement does not convert into votes. It is our local leaders and machinery that will count most. National leaders will be tied up with national attention but local leaders and supporters will be focused locally and be more reliable as ever,” he said.

BOPK chairman, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, was not available for comment yesterday. —/BRP (FREEMAN)