Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is expected to endorse former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., along with his running-mate Tommy Abapo Jr., as gubernatorial candidate of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) for Bohol this week.

The endorsement will be made by Duterte during a rally of regional party  HNP in Tagbilaran City on Wednesday as the coalition campaigns for pro-administration senatorial candidates.

The 13-member slate is composed of Senate reelectionists and returnees Sonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Koko Pimentel, Bong Revilla and Cynthia Villar.

New names in the line-up are former Philippine National Police director Ronald dela Rosa, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (Maguindanao), former reporter Jiggy Manicad, Gov. Imee Marcos, and former MMDA chair Francis Tolentino.

The Evasco-led Alyansang Bol-anon alang sa Kausaban (ABAKA), HNP’s local ally, is organizing the rally at Carlos P. Garcia Avenue in front of City Square in Tagbilaran City.

Duterte knew Evasco during the years that he served her father President Rodrigo Duterte, who was then Davao City mayor. 

Meanwhile, Evasco answered allegations from the camp of Rep. Arthur Yap that he has been giving out money to local government leaders. Only desperate candidates buy votes, he said.

“Manghatag ko og maayong kabubut-on. Kay wa man koy kwarta, maayong kabubut-on ang akong ihatag. Di na man ron Pasko. Sila bisag di Pasko manghatag. Ikaduha, nganong manghatag man ko (og kwarta) nga di man ko desperado,” Evasco said in an interview with reporters. (PRESS RELEASE)