Philippines: Sara Duterte’s Hugpong to have 14 Senate bets

• Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) coalition will endorse 14 senatorial candidates during the party’s first political rally in Pampanga on 12 Feb 19, Sen. Cynthia Villar bared on 29 Jan 19.
• Villar, chair of the Nacionalista Party (NP) said the NP has revitalized its alliance with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the ruling PDP-Laban to form a coalition for the 2019 elections.
• She noted that HNP has established coalitions with political groups in every province, including Pampanga under the political party of Gov. Lilia Pineda.
• “From Pampanga to Northern Luzon… there is a tentative schedule. First Central Luzon and Nothern Luzon then back to Southern Region, then Visayas ending in Mindanao.”
• When asked if the 14 senatorial candidates will be trimmed down to 12, Villar said the HNP leadership would decide later on the issue.
• She, however, said limiting the number of candidates to 12 would be a wise decision to avoid risk of void ballots.
• Villar said the NP has revitalized its alliance with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the ruling PDP-Laban to form a coalition for the 2019 elections.
• Aside from Villar, NP fielded two other women in the 2019 senatorial elections – Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano.
• Incumbent Sens. Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay and Koko Pimentel are seeking their second term in the Senate.

External Link: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/30/1889359/sara-dutertes-hugpong-have-14-senate-bets