Councilor shifts party affiliation
DAVAO City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, who is seeking a seat in Congress, decided to transfer affiliation from Liberal Party (LP) to Nacionalista Party (NP).
In an interview, Dayanghirang said he arrived at "such a decision after consulting with the members of my group, Kabalikat ng Samahang Mamamayan ni Danny (Kasama)."
The councilor said he and the group decided to support a presidential candidate based on issues rather than personalities.
He said that during a caucus, they have identified the issues on housing, peace and order and the problem of the vendors as among the biggest concern of the people of the second district.
Dayanghirang said that among the presidential bets, they have agreed that it would be Nacionalista standard bearer Senator Manny Villar who could address most, if not all, of their concerns.
"Sa housing, we know that Manny Villar is into it. And we both agreed to help each other address the problem on housing once he becomes the president. On the matter of vendors, we have (Senator) Mar Roxas to address it. Sa peace and order naman sa Paquibato, we look at Satur Ocampo (senatorial bet) as the key for us to have a local peace initiatives para matahimik na ang Paquibato. So our group have decided that we will base our choice on the issues at hand and not on the personalities of the presidentiables," Dayanghirang explained.
The councilor, however, clarified that despite his shift, his support to the Dutertes in the local elections is still strong.
Dayanghirang said he discussed the matter with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the latter expressed his respect and support on the councilor's decision.
"He (Mayor Duterte) has no objection. He said he has no problem and that he respects my decision," Dayanghirang said.
The councilor said he already informed the LP, headed by presidential bet Senator Noynoy Aquino, of his decision through the mayor's chief aide Lawrence "Bong" Go.
He said he had also talked with Villar's wife, Cynthia, who readily welcomed him to the NP. (BOT)