Members of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Davao del Norte took their mass oath-taking on Friday and urged their chairman, Mayor Sara Duterte, to seek the presidency in next year's elections.

(Photo Courtesy: The Manila Times)

In a show of force, Davao del Norte stalwarts led by Vice-Governor Rey Uy, 2nd District Rep. Allan Dujali, and HNP convenor De Carlo "Oyo" Uy led new members in taking their oath of allegiance before Sara Duterte, who virtually attended the event held at the Carmen municipal gym on Thursday.

At a press briefing, De Carlo said that despite the presidential daughter's refusal to run for the 2022 elections, they continue to create awareness among the people in the province that she is the rightful person to be the next president.

"This is a very challenging step of HNP given that [some leaders] in our province does not support this administration. However, it will not stop us to encourage the people of Davao del Norte to support another Duterte to lead the country. We hope she [Mayor Sara] will take the challenge," he said.

He said that Mayor Sara is the kind of leader that is visionary and has the capability to lead the country.

Meanwhile, Dujali said that President Rodrigo Duterte's noteworthy projects are evident in the country and Mayor Sara can continue the work of her father.

"Just look around, the impact of President Duterte's projects is evident. If we saw the good things he does for our country, we need a leader to continue what he has started," he added.

Vice-Governor Uy, on the other hand, said six years is too short for a good president. "With the problem besetting our country, six years is not enough. Who will continue the vision and mission for a better Philippines? Among the local chief executives all over the country, only Inday Sara has the capability to continue what his father has started," he added.

In a video message during the event, Sara reiterated that she is not considering a national post in next year's elections due to their agreement that only one from their family will run for a national position in 2022.

However, she thanked her supporters for their trust and confidence. She also thanked them for their support for the Duterte administration and cited the country's gains through the Build Build Build project and how the national government has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I urge [you] our leaders to encourage your constituents to get vaccinated to avoid transmission and help achieve population protection," Mayor Sara said.

Should Mayor Sara insist on not running for a national post, the HNP-Davao del Norte assured the presidential daughter that they will support whoever she will endorse.