The Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a young regional political party that made a solid impression in the national political arena in the last elections, has joined the speakership fray, endorsing Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as its candidate for the top House of Representatives post.
After helping nine of its 13 senatorial bets win Senate seats, the new political party organized by presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte took an equally difficult political challenge by nominating Ungab to become the fourth highest official in the country.
HNP has three members joining the 18th Congress, Ungab included. The House will have 305 sitting members, making the challenge to win the speakership even more challenging.
The HNP said it is endorsing Ungab instead of Sara’s elder brother, neophyte Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who, on Tuesday, declared his intention to seek the speakership.
“We understand if President Duterte, because of ‘delicadeza,’ will not accept the intent of our brother from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, Congressman Paolo Duterte, to resolve the conflict among candidates,” an HNP statement issued yesterday morning declared.
The HNP added: “We suggest that Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano take the Majority Leader position, Cong. Lord Alan Velasco to take the Appropriations Committee, and Cong. Martin Romualdez to head the Accounts Committee.”
Ungab is serving his fourth term as congressman and distinguishes himself as the only House member to become chairman of the two most powerful committees – Appropriations and Ways and Means.
Political analyst Mon Casiple said the most recent twist in the speakership race is not the end of political controversies that will hound the search for House leader.
“Palagay ko ang maneobrahan diyan sa politika sa loob ng administrasyon coalition, hindi pa iyan tapos,” Casiple said.
Casiple said everything will settle only if President Duterte changes his mind and declares his choice but such will put in question his decisiveness as a leader. “Siguro ibubulong na lang niya,” said Casiple. (Ben Rosario)