Disloyal Hugpong members face expulsion: Quitain

HUGPONG sa Tawong Panglungsod is determined to kick out its "disloyal" members.

"Tanggalin talaga. Ngano mag apil pa man sila sa Hugpong kung lain nga kandidato man gihapon ilang suportaan? (They really have to be expelled. Why will they stay with Hugpong when they are supporting other candidates), Councilor Melchor Quitain said at the sidelines of the regular City Council (SP) session Thursday.

But Quitain, secretary general of Hugpong, still refuses to reveal the names of Hugpong members who are reportedly supporting other candidates.

He said it is premature to comment whether incumbent councilors, who are Hugpong members, were on the "long list" which was already submitted to Hupong chairman, Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The councilor from the first district said the coordinators were able to identify these "disloyal" members based on the thorough investigation.

The issue stemmed from reports that some Hugpong members are supporting the candidacy of Joji Ilagan-Bian as representative for second district in the May 2013 midterm elections.

Hugpong is fielding incumbent Representative Mylene Garcia for the second district congressional seat.

In a phone interview, Commission on Election (Comelec) election officer for first district Aimee Ampoloquio said no Comelec rule will be violated if a party like Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod will expel its own members.

"Dili mi manghilabot ana kay internal rules na nila. Sa ila ra man pud na. Kumbaga depende na kung naa na sa ilang by-laws, wala mi mahimo gyud ana," she said.

"Ilaha na nang problema, gawas na mi ana," she added.

Councilor Paolo Duterte, earlier confirmed that some barangay chiefs from Hugpong party are backing the candidacy of an opposing camp.

Duterte said members who will back Bian's candidacy are not worthy to join the organization.

His father earlier warned members who are supporting the candidacy of Garcia to leave the party. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)