Imee Marcos signs alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago

LAOAG CITY -- Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos formally signed an alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the regional party formed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.

The formal signing took place at the Blue Leaf, Aseana, Paranaque City.

At the signing aside from Gov. Marcos are Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, and Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Emano, among others.

Marcos said she joined the alliance because HnP “is not a monolithic, hierarchical or traditional party. Its approach is very local.” She took her oath as HnP member in Digos City last week before Mayor Duterte.

Hugpong does not require its members to abandon their political parties but instead forges coalitions in localities. “I think it is a very interesting model, something that is workable on the ground,” the governor said. “This model is better because a candidate wins or loses in the local contests anyway. It is not about the big political parties in Manila.”

The governor believes Hugpong will become the voice of Mindanao and a force to reckon with like the time-tested Solid North. Eight Northern provinces are getting ready to join the alliance, she said.