Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday lambasted House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for referring to the creation of Hugpong ng Pagbabago as a “non-issue” and for being (characteristic) “of political dynasties.”
“If you are an asshole in Congress, don’t bring that to Davao, leave it in Manila,” Mayor Carpio posted in her Facebook account.
“Somebody should tell the President what you are doing. How dare you call me part of the opposition. Kapal ng mukha mo. You messed with the wrong girl.”
Part of the mayor’s comments on Facebook continued: “I would like everyone to know, including the Speaker of the House, that the unity I forged with the four Governors of Region 11 has the blessing of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Even the use of the word Hugpong as the name of our regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago has the President’s approval.
I also specifically informed the President that I will not join PDP Laban.
The Speaker’s latest media statement that he respects the creation of Hugpong ng Pagbabago or that the unity is a non-issue, was unfortunately betrayed by his comment on political dynasties.
If the Speaker is attacking our effort to do something significant and timely for Region 11, and reducing it as a product of political dynasties, I suggest he pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Law.”
The mayor is the chair of the newly-formed Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Alvarez on Wednesday said he respects Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s decision to form a regional party separate from the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).
The ABS-CBN story continued: “Alvarez said Duterte-Carpio’s decision to form another political party is a “non-issue.”
“Hindi ko alam, pero okay naman kasi yung mga regional parties, talagang ginawa yun. So… they…. it’s a non-issue,” he said.
(I don’t know but regional parties are fine so it’s a non-issue.)
Even though he urged respect for Duterte-Carpio’s decision, Alvarez said the move shows how prominent political dynasties are in the Philippines.
“Kahit na mag-ama yan, kahit na minsan hindi tayo nagkakasundo, magkapatid naglalaban sa pulitika, paano natin pigilin yun? Sila mismo naglaban-laban ‘di ba? Ito namang sa kaso noong pagtatag ng partido ni Mayor Sara ay talaga namang pupuwede yun, di ba? So, igalang na lang natin talaga,” he said.
Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin on Tuesday said the eldest daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte may be eyeing the House speakership in the next Congress.
Villarin said he thinks the President’s party is imploding under the leadership of Alvarez, which prompted Duterte-Carpio to form her own political party without the House speaker.
“Ibig sabihin (It means) they’re looking for a fallback because you know, the thrust of Speaker Alvarez has been very divisive. In fact, allies of the Duterte administration are looking at other alternatives,” he said.
“Perhaps, this move of Mayor Duterte is to keep them away from the Speaker’s push for charter change and constituent assembly, which are being rejected by the people,” he added.
The Davao City mayor declined to comment on Villarin’s statements.” (With a story from ABS-CBN)
