Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5) — The National Unity Party (NUP) wants presidential son and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte to have a leadership position in the party, even if he is just an adopted member.
“My position, personally, I think as much as possible, we would like Paolo Duterte to take a position within the National Unity Party,” Antipolo 1st District Rep. Roberto “Robbie” Puno, a stalwart of the party, said Monday in a press briefing.
Puno made the remark following the resignation of Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil “Fred’ Castro as NUP president.
Puno said Duterte will be a “great congressman” since he is known to be frank.
“From a leadership standpoint, from taking positions early in his political career in Congress, I think that is something to be admired,” Puno said.
In a text message to CNN Philippines, Castro said he has no idea yet who would replace him at the helm of the party. Asked if Duterte is expected to get a leadership role in the party, Castro said this is “speculative.”
Duterte remains a member of local party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod despite joining NUP’s ranks.
He is expected to attend the party’s meeting in Quezon City on Tuesday.
Puno says NUP’s membership has grown to 50 lawmakers from 25 after the May midterm polls.
Among NUP’s new members include 12 stalwarts of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
The switch will reduce PDP-Laban’s membership in the house from 84 to 72.
Puno said they do not plan to add more members beyond 50 to keep NUP a tightly knit group.
The NUP was fromed by a group of politicians that broke away from Lakas-Kampi-CMD, the former political party of former Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before she jumped to PDP-Laban in 2016.
CNN Philippines Multi-platform Writer Xave Gregorio contributed to this report.
