Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino political party launched

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — A new political party is born.

A new political party named Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) was born after what the members said was an alternative party that will weed out traditional corrupt politicians.

Some of the party's officers, such as Antonio Butch Valdes as chairman, Atty. Ramon Pedrosa as president, Princess Lady Ann Indanan-Sahidulla as executive vice president, and Dr. Ricardo Fulgencio IV as secretary general, are the proponents of Citizen National Guard (CNG). CNG is  a group supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte that professes to fight those they perceive as the true enemies of the nation, including the so-called "yellowtards".

However, KDP members insisted that despite their support for the Duterte, they stand as an independent political party.

Among them are Public Attorney's Office Chief Persida Acosta; Ma. Cristina Roco-Corona, wife of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona; Atty. Glen Chong, who opposed Smartmatic; Architect Jun Palafox, Brigadier General Victor Corpus; and Atty. Larry Gadon, the man behind the Sereno impeachment. KDP is quick to say that these persons are just potential candidates.

"Kung mapapansin niyo mga bagong mukha, hindi traditional, so we do not want to initially coalese with other political parties because we consider them as traditional politician para maiba tayo," Fulgencio said on Friday.

Aside from the congressional line-up, the party is also building its roster for local positions. KDP members said President Duterte and daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio have been informed about the new party.

The party has been accredited by the Commission on Elections as a national political party since May this year.

Meanwhile, Comelec moved the deadline to register political party coalitions for the 2019 midterm elections. The original deadline was set today, but it was moved to September 15.

The Commission however did not extend the Aug. 31 deadline for political parties to submit their update information statement. The statement includes officers, members, and guest candidates for an elective position. Comelec warned failure to comply may lead to a possible cancellation of a party or coalition's registration.