Paolo Duterte right man to become next Hugpong president

COUNCILOR Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is the right man to succeed Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as president of Hugpong sa Tawong, Councilor Melchor V. Quitain said.

Quitain, secretary general of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, said he will endorse Duterte to the position following the resignation of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio Monday as president of the ruling local administration party.

He said the councilor, who is the mayor's brother, is very qualified to be the next president since he is also the inccoming vice mayor of the city.

"If you'd ask me who, I would rather recommend it would be Pulong Duterte. He is [going to be] the second highest official of the city. He is also a member of the Hugpong," Quitain said.

The first district councilor said other than Duterte, there are other names being floated to fill in the post left vacant by the mayor, although he refused to identify other candidates.

Councilor Duterte is the lone candidate for the vice mayoral post in the coming May 13 midterm elections.

Quitain said all the members of the party are expected to meet anytime soon to decide and elect a new president.

"We will have to wait for instructions from executive committee," he said.

Most councilors, who are members of the party, said they are amenable to the suggestion that the young Duterte will replace her sister as the president of the party.

"Uyon ko kay Duterte ra man gihapon (I'll for that since he is also a Duterte)," Councilor Edgar Ibuyan said.

But Councilor Jimmy Dureza said he would go for Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte rather than the councilor considering his extensive experience and high familiarity in politics.

"Labi na gyud nga bag-o pa namugna ang Hugpong isip usa ka political party gikinahanglan nga ang mamuno hanas ug adunay track record bilang usa ka lig-on nga haligi aron molambo ug molig-on ang partido," he said.

The elder Duterte is presently the chairman of the Hugpong party.

"Usa ra ka posisyon. Then he will have to choose whether chairman or president. Councilor Pulong will assume any of the post that will be vacant," Dureza said.

Duterte-Carpio cited personal reasons in stepping down from the post.

She also filed maternity leave for two months starting on Tuesday, March 5.

Quitain said he read the resignation letter of the mayor on the same day.

"As my capacity as secretary general, I am given a copy and I endorse it to the chairman of the party and executive committee," he said.

Quitain refused to comment on mayor's resignation but said he respects her decision.

He, however, said the changes last Monday will not affect the entire party.

"We also have to understand that the mayor is going to give birth soon. You know how delicate her situation is. Let us understand," Quitain said. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)