No hard feelings.
President Aquino is not taking against some Liberal Party members their decision to switch allegiance to PDP-Laban party, the political organization of his successor Rodrigo Duterte.
The President explained that he actually understands if some administration allies decide to join Duterte’s growing coalition in Congress for the interest of their constituents.
“Naiintindihan natin ’yun meron mga napapag-isip,” the President said in a media interview after the launching of the Balog-Balog Dam and Reservoir Phase 2 project in San Jose, Tarlac yesterday.
“Bawat kinatawan syempre kumakatawan ka lang sa isang distrito, ikaw ang kanilang kinatawan at kailangan mong pangalagaan ang interes ng inyong sinasakupan. So baka sa kanilang pananaw, mas mapapatupad nila ang mga pangako nila sa kanilang sinasakupan kung magsanib sa ibang grupo,” he added.
Several administration allies have joined the coalition with PDP-Laban and expressed support to incoming Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the reported choice of Duterte for House Speaker.
These former LP men virtually abandoned House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr. in keeping his post in the next Congress.
Unfazed by the defection of some allies, the President said the Liberal Party still has enough members, adding some officials are even planning to turn back. He did not elaborate.
