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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Will BFT group align itself with Duterte bloc?

Will BFT group align itself with Duterte bloc?

Published Jul 29, 2025 01:39 pm

At A Glance

  • There are at least two emerging independent blocs in the House of Representatives: the BFT group and the pro-Duterte bloc. But should they join forces?
Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez (left), Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (Facebook)
Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez (left), Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (Facebook)


There are at least two emerging independent blocs in the House of Representatives: the BFT group and the pro-Duterte bloc. But should they join forces?
Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, who has a budding alliance with Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco and Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco, was asked this question amid the current reorganization of the House in the 20th Congress.
"I dont know, I dont know. Pero so far wala kaming usapan na ganun (But so far we haven't had talks to that effect)," Benitez told House reporters late Monday afternoon after President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA)
The Duterte bloc, also known as the Davao group, is composed of Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, Davao City 2nd district Rep. Omar Duterte, Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab, and PPP Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte.
At any rate, Benitez said there might be some ideological differences between the BFT group and the Paolo Duterte-led bloc.
"At this point, hindi ko pa alam. Kasi kami-kami lang nag-uusap. Mahirap kasi kung iba yung direction nila eh. Kami, we're still in support of the President (At this point, I don’t know yet. It’s just us talking among ourselves. It would be difficult if they’re heading in a different direction. As for us, we’re still in support of the President)," he said.
"We still believe and we'd go all out for his administration," stressed the power-broker solon from Negros.
The patriarch of the Duterte family--former president Rodrigo Duterte--is arguably the most influential critic of the Marcos administration.
Benitez clarified that his bloc with Frasco and Tiangco won't be an opposition faction.
"We will not be an opposition as in. Ako (For me), it's independent. But then, in support of the President," he said.
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