House leaders, HNP launch new group to convince Sara to run, stop PRRD’s VP bid
The citizens movement Hugpong Para kay Sara (HPS) was launched Monday, Sept. 13 to call on Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president and appeal to her father, President Rodrigo Duterte to give up his plan to seek the vice presidency.
Behind the newly-organized group are House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and a number of House members who joined forces with the city mayor’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago and local leaders.
HPS President Allan Yap said they are convinced that Mayor Sara is the most qualified person to assume the post that her father will vacate in 2022.
“Hangarin ng HPS ay ituloy ang tama, punan ang kulang at ituwid ang mali (Our objective is to continue with what is right, fill what is lacking and correct what is wrong),” Yap said.
Former Davao del Norte Governor and HPS chairman Anthony del Rosario said urging Mayor Sara to run is not the only current objective of the new organization.
“As the newly-appointed leaders of this movement, aside from trying to convince Mayor Sara to run for the highest post in the land, we want to respectfully persuade President Duterte not to run. This way, the country gets the benefit of considering the best candidate for the job, and that is his daughter,” Del Rosario told a virtual press conference that followed the HPS launch.
President Duterte’s decision to run for vice president next year has been pointed to as the reason why Mayor Sara announced last week that she is no longer seeking the presidency in 2022.
The Davao City mayor said that only one Duterte must run for a national office.
“We respect her for the statement that she made. While we respect her decision not to run, we at the same time believe that she is the right person for the job,” stated Del Rosario, the HNP secretary general and spokesman.
Citing recent poll surveys for the presidency, Del Rosario said Mayor Sara consistently led possible presidential candidates for 2022.
“Kaya siya malakas (The reason she is strong) is because of her father. Maganda ang programang naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte (President Duterte started a good program) five years ago. That is the reason why Mayor Sara tops the surveys time and time again,” Del Rosario added.
Quezon City civic leader Robert Nazal has been chosen as HPS vice chairman. He expressed confidence that only Mayor Sara is capable to bring about “true and lasting change” among the possible presidentiables.
“The movement believes that Mayor Sara is the most qualified to effectively continue the good programs that her father has started,” said Nazal.
Speaker Velasco is the president emeritus of the HPS while his wife, Wen, is an officer.
Showing up during the program were Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera and Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos, HPS secretary general and vice president, respectively.