E-Season – VM Rody to name allies expelled from Hugpong for backing foes

A FEW DAYS from now, when the campaign for candidates for local elective positions officially starts, Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to announce the names of recalcitrant politicians who would be expelled from “Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod,” a local political party accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), for disloyalty.
The expulsion was announced by Vice Mayor Rody, who heads Hugpong, during his popular Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa television program over ABS-CBN. The program is replayed by four other networks and cable TV stations in the region.
On invitation of Duterte, Rep. Mylene Garcia appeared in his TV program to explain her program of government and answer criticisms of political foes.
The vice mayor, who’s running for mayor unopposed, was referring to a few Hugpong members and barangay captains who are reportedly campaigning for the rivals of Hugpong candidates in violation of party rules and in defiance to VM’s repeated calls for unity for a number of weeks now.
He started his discussion by declaring that the candidates of Hugpong for congressman for the first legislative district is former vice mayor Luis C. Bonguyan and for the second district reelectionist Mylene Garcia. (Re-electionist Rep. Isidro T. Ungab is running unopposed in the third legislative district).
After discussing the qualifications of his candidates, the vice mayor berated recalcitrant Hugpong members who are reportedly supporting rivals, instead of the party’s official candidates.
“This is a democratic country, if you want to be a leader get yourself elected. If you do not like Bonguyan or Garcia, fine, you’re free to do support other candidates, but we have to part ways as Hugpong members,” Duterte said.
“If you want money, go ahead join the other group which is well-oiled,” he said, adding Hugpong has no money for them.
He reminded the defiant members that the candidates of Hugpong were chosen the democratic way, in a consensus agreement of party members, who are bound to support the decision of the majority.
“There was no single entity who chose them. I did not choose them. It was a convention, and so it was our covenant to support our chosen candidates,” he said.
Duterte said as a result of the expulsion, the affected members will lose the privileges and benefits enjoyed by Hugpong members under his administration and that of Mayor Inday (daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio).
“I will no longer recognize you,” he said. “Sorry to say but I will not allow (your disloyalty and betrayal), and we have to part ways,” the vice mayor said.
Although unnamed, observers thought the vice mayor was referring to at least two former city councilors, Hugpong members, who are reportedly supporting businesswoman Joji Ilagan-Bian, who lost twice for congresswoman against Vincent Garcia in 2007 and his sister, Mylene Garcia in 2010. The two former councilors who also lost to the Garcias in the past are reportedly campaigning for Bian.
Duterte said that the Garcia family has served Dabawenyos for several decades since the time of Leon Aquino Garcia Sr. as mayor of Davao City.
A historical book “Davao Pioneers and Public Servants,” written by Dr. Dennis J. Garcia, a physician belonging to the family’s fifth generation, indicated that the public service rendered by the family actually had started with Pablo Ferrando Suazo, and Tomas Dequito Monteverde as early as the 1800s.
Duterte also lamented the use of black propaganda by the political rivals of Mylene, saying that the Garcias are known for their decent style of campaigning.