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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Sa majority kami': Puno says NUP not allied with VP Duterte

'Sa majority kami': Puno says NUP not allied with VP Duterte

Published Feb 26, 2026 11:55 pm

At A Glance

  • National Unity Party (NUP) Chairman Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno said that the party--the second biggest in the House of Representatives in terms of membership--is "not on the same side" as Vice President Sara Duterte.
Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


National Unity Party (NUP) Chairman Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno said that the party--the second biggest in the House of Representatives in terms of membership--is "not on the same side" as Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview with House reporters Thursday, Feb. 26, Puno underscored that NUP is with the pro-administration majority bloc in the House of Representatives.
Vice President Duterte--who last week declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections--is an administration critic.
"Alam naman ng lahat tatakbo na siya no. So alam naman lahat sa majority kami ng Congress (Everybody knows she is going to run. So everyone knows we are part of the majority in Congress), so we are not on the same side,” said Puno, a House deputy speaker.
On Wednesday night, Feb. 25, the NUP came out with a supposed party stand wherein it indicated that it won't support Duterte's impeachment unless "compelling new evidence" emerges in the hearings of the Committee on Justice next week on the four impeachment complaints filed against the lady official.
That this statement was issued a week after the still-popular Duterte announced her presidential bid raised some eyebrows.
But Puno said there was "no connection" between the two. Instead, the NUP statement was all about putting a premium on "fair play", he said.
"This has to do with fair play. It has to do with the process that we are undertaking. We are going to be establishing precedents here...So I think that we have to provide solid basis and guidelines for future exercises of this nature," the ranking lawmaker explained.
"So that's why we're being very careful about it. Again, everything has to be based on evidence,” Puno added.
In the same interview, Puno said the 40-strong NUP would allow a "conscience vote" among it's members when it comes to deciding on Duterte's impeachment.
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