DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has left Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the regional party she co-founded in 2018.
This was confirmed by HNP Secretary General Anthony del Rosario in a text message to SunStar Davao Thursday, November 11, 2021.
In a separate text message, Del Rosario said the mayor tendered her resignation at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
In her letter to the officers and members of HNP, Duterte-Carpio said, "It is with profound sadness that I hereby tender my resignation from our beloved party. My support will always be with you and I will always be grateful for all the things you have taught me."
"While we are saddened by her resignation, we, however, wish her all the best in her future plans. Godspeed po Mayor Sara. In our hearts, you will always be our chairperson. We love you po," Del Rosario said.
Duterte-Carpio's resignation came days after she withdrew her reelection bid for Davao City mayor on Tuesday afternoon, November 9. She named her brother, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, as her substitute.
This had sparked speculations that she will be running for the national elections. Duterte-Carpio, as of this posting Thursday, has not made any confirmation on her political plans.
READ: Sara Duterte-Carpio joins Lakas-CMD
HNP was formally launched in 2019. It was established to support President Rodrigo Duterte's government.
In July 2018, the Commission on Elections granted the accreditation of HNP.
In addition to the party's alignment with the Duterte administration, Duterte-Carpio said that she formed HNP "to pursue the ideals of what we all want, a strong region, a secure life for our constituents, good governance and effective leadership of the members of the party."
The party campaigned for candidates for senator endorsed by the Duterte administration in the 2019 Philippine senatorial elections.