DAVAO CITY —The Hugpong ng Pagbabago on Monday expelled Davao Del Norte Vice Governor Oyo Uy, Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, Davao De Oro Vice Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, and DDO First District Representative Maricar Zamora.
Vice President Sara Duterte is the chairman of the HNP.
“Due to recent events that are in conflict with the core principles and policies of the party, the termination is effective today, April 15, 2024, the one-page notice explained why Uy’s and Zamora were booted out.
The HNP thanked the Uy’s and Zamora “For your contributions and efforts during your time as a valued member of the party. Your participation has been appreciated, and this decision was not made lightly. We understand that such changes can be challenging, and we wish to assure you that this decision was reached only after a careful review of our Party’s commitment to maintaining faithful public service. We wish you all the best in future endeavors.”
The notice was released a day after the Hugpong ng Maisug prayer rally was held in Davao del Norte.
Speculations are rife, the Uy’s reportedly tried to prevent the holding of such activity which led to the issuance of a 60-day preventive suspension order.
Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy however denied the allegations.
Shifting alliances
The Duterte’s have thrown support to Davao del Norte Governor Edwin I. Jubahib who was issued a 60-day preventive suspension by the Office of the President on April 11 due to abuse of power and oppression.
According to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Jubahib’s suspension was an offshoot of his decision to issue a permit for Hugpong ng Maisug to allow the prayer rally in Davao del Norte on April 14.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte in an interview also said “Part of Jubahib’s suspension was the issuance of the permit because, after the Prayer Rally in Cebu, no local government unit ever allowed us to secure a permit for a rally.”
In 2019, Jubahib and the Uy’s were allies and won the key positions in the province of Davao del Norte Under PDP-Laban.
In 2022, however, the Uy’s jumped ship and joined Sara’s HNP and ultimately joined the Uniteam, while Jubahib joined Reporma and allied with Liberal Party.
The HNP notice also stated, “In the coming days we expect the courtesy resignation of other members of the HNP as we continue our preparation for the upcoming elections.”
It was learned that Davao del Norte Governor board member Orly Amit is also a member of the HNP. Amit filed the complaint against Jubahib, which led to the suspension order.
It was not known however that Davao del Norte Second District representative Allan Dujali who is allied with the Uy’s have left HNP.
In July 2018, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) granted the application of then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s “Hugpong ng Pagbabago (Alliance for Change) to become a regional political party which means the officers of the group can compete for national posts.
Several politicians in the Davao region joined the regional political party. Based on the by-laws of the HNP, any member may join a national party.
As of presstime, the Uy’s and Zamora has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
