Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is setting her sights on making her political party, Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP), a force to reckon with in the national political scene.
Politiko has learned that HNP applied for accreditation to become a national political party with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec gave interested political parties until July 16 to apply for accreditation for the 2019 elections.
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HNP reportedly applied for accreditation as a national political party after Partido Federal ng Pilipinas failed to meet the deadline set by Comelec.
Politiko earlier reported that Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, was behind the creation of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas because he wanted to have his own political party.
Duterte is only a member of the ruling PDP-Laban, which was founded by former senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr.
A source told Politiko that the Comelec en banc held deliberations for HNP’s accreditation behind closed doors.
Results of HNP’s application for nationwide accreditation have yet to be released.
However, a July 1 report by Business World quoted Sara as saying that HNP’s application to become a regional political party has been approved.
Expanding HNP’s reach nationwide appears to be a logical step for the Dutertes given their popularity. Sara ranks fourth in a recent Pulse Asia survey among possible senatorial candidates— even if she hasn’t announced any plan to run for Senate.
Taking HNP nationwide will also help the President in pushing for federalism because local politikos who will be its prospective members could be tapped for the campaign.
