If Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Secretary General Anthony del Rosario would have his way, other local government units (LGUs) in the Davao region should also declare vice presidential candidate Walden Bello as a "persona non grata" or an unwelcome person.
In an HNP statement Friday, March 25, Del Rosario said he would suggest other provinces and municipalities in the Davao region to also ban Bello from entering their jurisdictions.
In the recent vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Electioms (Comelec), Bello claimed that there was rampant corruption in Davao City, which branded as the center of illegal drugs in the south.
He insinuated that one of the members of the Duterte family is involved in the drug trade. The current mayor of Davao City is Sara Duterte, Bello's rival in the May 2022 vice presidential race.
According to Del Rosario, former congressman Bello’s statement had tarnished the reputation of Davao City. He said his remarks can result have serious repercussion on its economy and tourism, incuding its neigboring provinces in the Davao region.
“If he knows something at matagal na niyang hindi inilalabas (and has long been keeping it to himself), ibig sabihin nagtatago siya ng (that means that he is hiding) information about drug trade," said the HNP official and former Davao del Norte governor.
"He should come forward and inform the PNP (Philippine National Police) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) to investigate it further, but if he doesn’t cooperate it means he is supporting the narcotics trade making him a ‘narcopolitician'," Del Rosario added.
A resolution was recently issued and approved by the Davao City councilors banning Bello's entry and stay Davao City.
“The City Council denounces the unbecoming character of Walden Bello particularly his act of employing malicious tirades. Davao City’s exemplary reputation is the hard work not only of the local government but every honest, disciplined, responsible Dabawenyo,” read the two-page resolution.
“As we condemn Walden Bello’s acts, we also vehemently declare that he is not welcome to enter the borders, and the entire territorial jurisdiction of Davao City,” it added.
HNP, according to Del Rosario, has formally sent a letter to the PNP requesting to investigate Bello’s allegations.
Bello is the running mate of Partido Lakas ng Masa standard-bearer Ka Leody de Guzman.