By Leslie Ann Aquino
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the petition for accreditation of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body granted the petition because the party met all of the requirements.
Among them, he said membership and by laws.
The presidential daughter was at the poll body last month to attend the hearing of their petition for registration of their political party.
At that time, Duterte expressed hope that they'll get a favorable decision from the Comelec.
“I cannot speak for the commissioners, but we pray that they will give us a favorable decision on the petition,” she said.
She explained they established the Hugpong ng Pagbabago for security and development in Davao City.
“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,” Duterte said.
Section 61 of the Omnibus Election Code states “any organized group of persons seeking registration as a national or regional political party may file with the Commission a verified petition attaching thereto its constitution and by laws, platform or program of government and such other relevant information as may be required by the Commission. The Commission shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within ten days from the date it is submitted for decision.”
It added “no religious sect shall be registered as a political party and no political party which seeks to achieve its goal through violence shall be entitled to accreditation.”