Paolo Duterte now a member of National Unity Party
Credit to Author: racosta| Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:14:30 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — The National Unity Party (NUP) has adopted President Rodrigo Duterte’s son and Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte as its member, an official and a member of the political party confirmed Wednesday.
“Adopted po namin siya (Paolo),” the NUP source said. Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Roberto Puno, a NUP member and brother of party chair Ronaldo Puno, also confirmed this.
Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro, current NUP president, has also confirmed hearing the information that Paolo has joined the party formed by a breakaway group from the Lakas Kampi CMD. The party is also part of the PDP-Laban-led coalition in the House.
The source, however, explained that an adopted member could still be a member of any local party – Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, in the case of Paolo, who is now House deputy speaker for political affairs. He also said Paolo no longer needs to take an oath.
INQUIRER.net has sent a text message to Paolo, asking him for his comment, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.
But in a speech on Tuesday, the President mentioned his son supposedly jumping ship to another party.
“Si Pulong hindi ko na nakikita. Papalit-palit ng partido… Baka NPA na lang siya mas mabuti pa,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, ACT-CIS Rep. Niña Taduran also said the NUP adopted their party-list, which won three seats in the recent elections. Taduran added they would remain members of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI).
“We welcome the adoption of the ACT-CIS Party-list under the National Unity Party. This will help the party-list to widen its affiliation in achieving the national goal towards a progressive nation,” Taduran said in a statement.
“However, ACT-CIS Party-list will remain its membership to PCFI as it is committed to attaining its national economic objectives of the administration,” she added.
Congressman Duterte previously revealed a plan to vie for the House Speaker post, but he later withdrew from the race and even nominated Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano for the seat, along with former Speaker aspirants, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, during the opening of the House session last July 22.
READ: Vote of 266 for Cayetano leaves no doubt about Duterte persuasion
The President earlier endorsed the term-sharing between Cayetano and Velasco, with Romualdez sitting as the majority leader.
Velasco, meanwhile, brushed off Paolo’s opposition to the term-sharing scheme between him and Cayetano, and the reminder that the House should elect a new Speaker after Cayetano’s 15-month term.
READ: Paolo Duterte: Elect a new Speaker after Cayetano’s 15-month term
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