(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte assured that the 2019 midterm elections will push through as scheduled and stressed that it will be clean.
Duterte, during the convention of the regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), in Lanang, Davao City on Friday, August 17, said the conduct of clean elections next year is his commitment to the Filipino people.
“In this election, I commit to the Filipino people that this will be a clean election,” he said.
The Chief Executive emphasized that he would ask the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to deputize him during the elections as he planned to impose the Alunan doctrine which limits the number of armed guards for every politician.
-Duterte: No long firearms during polls-
“In the next few months, I will impose the Alunan doctrine. You cannot bring long firearms during the election,” he said.
Duterte also warned the communist rebels not to terrorize or extort money from the public and the political candidates in the areas where they operate.
“Huwag kayong makialam at manghingi ng taxation kasi mas lalo tayong lalayo nang lalayo sa solusyon natin. Huwag kayong makialam kasi election ‘to. Do not terrorize. And I will tell the Armed Forces and the police not to interfere if you are not deputized by the COMELEC,” he said.
He also stressed his commitment to preserve and defend the democratic values in the country, saying that it is only through an open democratic society can Filipinos truly uphold the ideals that the nation holds dear.
During the convention of the HNP which his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is spearheading.
He also urged the new members of the HNP to further continue elevating excellence, accountability, and solidarity as “we bring genuine transformation to every Filipino.”
“I assure you that this is only the beginning. I look forward to the many things that we can accomplish together in the years to come,” Duterte said.
The HNP convention was attended by 4,000 people composed of the party’s members, local government officials, Purok leaders, and other invited guests.
HNP was formed and chaired by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on February 23, 2018 and was granted accreditation by the COMELEC as a Regional Political Party on June 26, 2018. (with a PND report)
