Paolo Duterte says he is willing to join other political parties

“To all other political groups out there, I am still up for adoption!” he said in a statement o n Wednesday, August 7. (File Photo by Romy Bugante via Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

Even after he was adopted by one of the major political parties in the county, Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte expressed willingness to join other political parties.

“To all other political groups out there, I am still up for adoption!” he said in a statement on Wednesday, August 7.

“If being adopted by most, if not all, political parties is to be of service to the people, them I am more than willing to join all of you,” he continued.

Antipolo 1st District Representative Roberto Puno, National Unity Party’s (NUP’s) vice chair for internal affairs, earlier told the media that Duterte has been adopted by the party. Reacting to this, the latter said he was “honored” by his adoption.

Although he was a neophyte in the national political arena, the Presidential son said many of his colleagues in the House wanted him “to join their respective political groups.”

Serving as House deputy speaker for political affairs, Dutetre said his main task  is to “unify” all lawmakers at the lower chamber to have one goal: “to improve the lives of the Filipino people.”

“In unity there is strength. Let us show the Filipino people that we can all be united towards one common goal. This would be a first in Philippine politics, and it happened under the Duterte administration,” he said.

The congressman also expressed his gratitude for trusting him and his family.

“Nawa’y masuklian ko ang inyong pagtitiwala sa pamamagitan ng tapat at tunay na paninilbihan sa ating bayan (I hope that I can pay back your trust through an honest and genuine service to the public),” Duterte said.

From the previous 25, the NUP has more than doubled its membership in the House to 57, where 15 of this number were former members of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban). They took oath as new members of the NUP on Tuesday during the party’s annual meeting held in Quezon City.

The party also elected its new set of officers, with Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. being the president, replacing Capiz 2nd District Representative Fredenil Castro who resigned from his post out of “delicadeza.”

The Presidential son, however, did not attend the meeting.