Over 6000 people take oath as members of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) today, August 17, 2018, at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City with Davao City Mayor and HNP Chairperson Inday Sara Duterte.

President Rody Duterte joins the event as Keynote Speaker.

Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario sees no conflict in case President Rodrigo Duterte will join Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HP).

Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s Secretary General del Rosario said in an interview that members of national parties are allowed to join the regional party.

“There is no conflict as ours is a regional party. Our constitution and bylaws allow for a member of a national party to be a member of Pagbabago,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario also stated that the only requirement they have in their rules is for a member to be a voter in the region. Being a registered voter in Davao City, the President is qualified.

The party will be holding a program Friday afternoon but there is no information about the oath President Duterte will take. The party welcomes him, however.

Meanwhile, according to del Rosario, the coalition with PDP, in which the President is the national chairman and HP is not impossible.

Also Del Rosario said the party already decided to endorse eight senatorial bets in ne next year’s midterm elections but he refused to name them.

Some names may also be added after the period of filing of certificate of candidacy is over.

The group resolved to support Sen. Cynthia Villar and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos’ candidacy.

Del Rosario, however, said: “For the remaining slots, I am not at liberty to tell.”