By Ellson Quismorio
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), Tingog Sinirangan party-list group and the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) regional party of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will forge a powerful “alliance agreement” on Wednesday (Nov. 7) in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lakas-CMD President and Leyte’s 1st district congressional candidate Martin Romualdez, incumbent Leyte 1st district Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez, their local political allies, and senatorial candidates will welcome Duterte-Carpio to formalize the signing of the historic pact in time for the May 2019 midterm polls at the Tacloban City Convention Center--also known as the Tacloban Astrodome.
“It (signing) is just a formality because both parties have already been aligned in principle before. We share the same mission, beliefs, vision and thrusts with Mayor Sarah’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago,” said Mr. Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).
A former House independent bloc leader of the previous 16th Congress and a three-term Leyte congressman, Mr. Romualdez said Mayor Duterte-Carpio will be the event's guest of honor and keynote speaker.
“We are all committed to push President Duterte’s agenda for nation’s growth and improve the lives of the people in the countryside,” he said.
For her part, Rep. Romualdez, wife of Mr. Romualdez and first nominee of Tingog Sinirangan, explained that her group shares Lakas-CMD and the Davao mayor's commitment to always prioritize Filipinos’ interests over and above everything else.
"We always uphold our mandate to serve the people and acknowledge our commitment to ensure that sustainable economic reforms are implemented and will be felt by ordinary people,” said the lady solon, who chairs the House committee on accounts.
She added that the group intends to further strengthen their programs to create jobs, build decent housing, sustain the peace and order, fight criminality, and eliminate poverty.
The signing of the alliance agreement will take place at the Tacloban Astrodome on the eve of the fifth anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan) tragedy. Yolanda--then the strongest typhoon on record--brought Leyte province and other areas in Eastern Visayas to its knees back in 2013.
Earlier, Romualdez announced that Lakas-CMD will support the senatorial bets endorsed by Duterte-Carpio’s party in next year's midterm election.
Included in the list were reelectionist Senators Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito; Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, and Taguig City-Pateros 2nd district Rep. Pia Cayetano.
The Lakas-CMD will field former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Lakas-CMD chairman; Jinggoy Estrada; and Dr. Willie Ong as their senatorial candidates.
Mr. Romualdez earlier expressed hope that the once formidable Lakas-CMD could produce another future president of the country after former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now the Speaker of the 17th Congress.