MANILA, Philippines — Mayors Joseph Estrada of Manila and Sara Duterte of Davao City officially joined forces yesterday for the 2019 elections.

Estrada and Duterte signed the official alliance of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and the former president’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Describing Duterte as “beautiful, hard-working and brave,” Estrada said Manila is proud to have a “friend and ally” in her.

The former president said their “historic alliance” is proof of their common goal for unity.

“Since the PMP was organized more than 27 years ago, we have entered into any alliances with other parties. Some have been harmonious, others not so much,” he said.

Estrada said that in politics, it is normal for a person’s actions to be guided by personal interest.

“The interest of the people is secondary. But this alliance between us begins on a very positive note,” he said.

Estrada said neither Hugpong nor PMP use the word party, “which means we both value unity rather than partisanship, service over self-interest.”

He expressed hope that the alliance between Hugpong and the PMP would make Manila “as progressive and peaceful” as Davao.000