Duterte: Loyalty check needed within Hugpong

DAVAO City Councilor Paolo Duterte said Tuesday that it is high time to impose a loyalty check within Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod following reports that some of its members are supporting candidates outside of the local political party.

Duterte, who is ABC president, confirmed that some barangay captains from Hugpong are backing the candidacy of an opposing camp in the May elections.

"Sugdan na loyalty check kay naa nay mga uban barangay captains an nisuporta na sa pikas (Let's start the loyalty check because some barangay captains are supporting the other camp)," Duterte said.

Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday’s Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa that there are Hugpong members who are reportedly not supporting incumbent Representative Mylene Garcia, their official candidate for the second congressional race.

The vice mayor said if this will be the case, then it would be better for them to part ways.

Duterte did not elaborate, but said some Hugpong members are backing businesswoman Joji Ilagan-Bian, Garcia's top challenger in the May electoral exercise.

His son reiterated that members who will back Bian's candidacy are not worthy of joining the organization.

"Isa na kapartido. Kung dili ka musuporta sa imong kauban sa partido, hawa na lang (It's aboout your partymate. If you don't want to support your partymate, you might as well leave the party)," he said.

The young Duterte said he also heard that some councilors are not loyal to Hugpong but that the information has to be validated.

Paolo Duterte is running unopposed for the position of vice mayor in May 2013 election.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is not seeking re-election and whose term ends in July 2013, said it is up to the officers of Hugpong whether to conduct a loyalty check.

She said the issue on supporting other party's candidate during elections is not new anymore.

"Dili man na karon lang na election nahitabo. It's bound to happen in such a big organization," Mayor Duterte-Carpio said.

Earlier, Hugpong secretary general, Councilor Melchor Quitain, confirmed hearing reports that some members are supporting other candidates.

"There might be some truth to it," Quitain said.

But, Quitain said as members of the party, they are expected to follow the instructions of the Hugpong leadership as this is one of the provisions of their constitution and by-laws.