House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, June 23 revealed that the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats has decided to renew its formal alliance with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, headed by probable 2022 presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
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In a virtual press conference, Romualdez, party president, revealed that the Lakas-CMD National Executive Committee reached a consensus to renew and further strengthen its relationship with the HNP, a regional political party that made its presence felt in the national political front during the 2019 elections.
“If Mayor Sara Duterte decides to seek higher office for 2022, we are ready to work for her victory in the coming election,” Romualdez declared.
Romualdez said former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, party president emeritus, has been consulted and is supportive of the decision.
The renewal of the alliance may bring about a possible 2022 partnership of Duterte and Romualdez in the 2022 national elections.
Duterte has been touted as a presidential timbre who would replace her father, President Rodrigo Duterte whose term as president ends next year.
On the other hand, the elder Duterte announced that he would be supporting Romualdez’s vice presidential bid if he so desires to run for the position next year.
In the news conference, Romualdez said said the alliance agreement would bind the two parties to support whoever they decide to field as candidate for President in next year’s election.
He said strengthening alliances of political parties in the country will ensure the preservation of the nation’s democratic processes, including the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections.
According to Romualdez Lakas-CMD, the ruling political party during Arroyo’s term as president, welcomes other political parties who are willing to join a larger partnership for the 2022 elections.
“I call on other political parties to join us and be part of our mission to form a broad multi-party coalition anchored on shared principles. We need coalition partners that share the same vision of building a strong Republic through sustainable growth and development of the regions,” explained the senior administration solon.
In their resolution, Lakas officials noted the importance of the party playing an active role in building a strong Republic in wake of devastation caused by the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Lakas-CMD believes that Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) shares the same vision of a strong Republic through the sustainable economic growth and development of the regions,” the resolution stated.
It will be recalled that the Lakas-CMD previously signed an alliance agreement with HNP on November 7, 2018, which paved the way for their partnership in the 2019 national and local elections.
The HNP led the campaign for a 13-man senatorial slate during the year and was able to help nine of them win the elections., They are Senators Ronald De la Rosa; Juan Edgardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Cynthia Villar, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III; Francis Tolentino, Christopher “Bong” Go anbd Imee Marcos.