Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23)— The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) on Wednesday said it will renew its alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) ahead of the 2022 national elections.
In a statement, Lakas-CMD president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said the agreement “would bind the two parties to support whoever they decide to field as candidate for president in next year’s election.”
Romualdez, in particular, said the group would be ready to support the presidential daughter should she seek a higher post next year.
“If Mayor Sara Duterte decides to seek higher office for 2022, we are ready to work for her victory in the coming election,” Romualdez said.
For her part, Duterte said she is aware that HNP officers are in talks with several “highly-placed” officials.
“I am not privy to these discussions, but I was told that the meetings are about my candidacy for the presidential race in 2022,” the Davao City mayor said in a separate statement. “I was assured that everyone involved in these talks will respect my decision if I decide against running for president.”
Mayor Duterte has yet to reveal her plans for the 2022 polls.
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LAKAS-CMD will renew its alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago for the 2022 elections. The party passed a resolution today to formalize its intent | @xianneangel pic.twitter.com/SKpsZairg5
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 23, 2021
