COUNCILOR Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. told Councilor Javi Campos III to address speculations and “clear the air” if he would still run alongside the party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod for 2025 National and Local Elections.
During Tuesday’s regular session privilege hour, Mahipus asked Campos to explain his involvement with the “political activity of the other side of the political fence” as seen in photographs.
The Presidential Communications Office posted a photo on Sept. 26, where Campos is seen with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other candidates during the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas Convention, where the president endorsed the senatorial slate.
Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas is an electoral alliance formed to field candidates for the 2025 polls. During the convention, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, National Unity Party, and Nacionalista Party signed an alliance manifesto.
Mahipus said while speculations have been raised concerning Campos’ loyalty to the party, the latter remained “level-headed, fair and rational.”
“Therefore, this may be an opportune time for him to address our people in order to remove all doubts, in order for him to clear the air, and inform us if he will still be running as city councilor together with us in the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod party,” he said.
The councilor added his statements have no malice as he also respects Campos’ family.
“And if he will be with us, that will be better because that means that we will remain united in our stand against the oppression, against the political attacks, against the city of Davao,” he added.
He stressed that in COC filing, aspirants should be reminded of the value of democracy in the electoral process, and should not be taken lightly.
The councilor said while “democracy is beautiful as it is precious” it is also fragile and delicate. “Although the people will be empowered and their voices will be heard through the electoral process, this may also be used to defeat the voice and the will of the people,” he added.
In good faith, Mahipus said he hopes the August chamber will still be united for the upcoming elections to serve the public effectively.
“That being said, in the coming days, we will be filing COC. We will all be together in our efforts to protect and preserve the gains of yesterday under the administration of the Dutertes,” he said.
On the other hand, Campos told reporters he understands the sentiment of Mahipus but he cannot speak for the entirety of the family.
“For myself, having served this council for two terms, I have had nothing but good experiences with my colleagues and I’m very grateful for the leadership under then-mayor Sara and now Mayor Sebastian Duterte,” he said.
The incumbent second district councilor Campos filed his reelection on Oct. 6, 2021, for 2022 elections under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago party. Meanwhile, former President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed him and Congressman Vincent Garcia in April 2022.
When asked if they share the same sentiment with Mahipus, Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr said he has always been loyal to the Dutertes.
“I’m just happy and proud that I am part of the party of the former president, siguro that’s the reality of it, this is politics, there will be some changes, but for me, I will not be swayed for any reason to change, I’m always loyal to the Dutertes,” he said.
The vice mayor said nothing is definite yet for the final line-up but only to wait for the filing time.
