TEN governors endorsed on Sunday night the UniTeam tandem of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio during a round table meeting in Mandaluyong City.
Marcos got the endorsement while other candidates to the country’s top elective post participated in the second presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Marcos met with the governors led by Quirino Governor and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president Dakila Cua.
Also present during the meeting were Governors Imelda Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III of La Union, Nancy Catamco of Cotabato, Esteban Evan Contreras of Capiz, Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte, Ferdinand Tubban of Kalinga, Joy Bernos of Abra, and Jerry Dalipog of Ifugao.
Also in attendance was Camiguin gubernatorial aspirant and incumbent Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.
Marcos, in a statement, said vote protection or ensuring that every vote is counted, was the main agenda of their meeting, along with the priority programs of the provincial leaders.
He said it was a small and intimate gathering where Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were equally represented by the governors.
“Vote protection, ‘yun ang aming napag-usapan para makatiyak tayo na maganda ang takbo ng halalan, mabilang lahat ng boto at hindi magka-problema (Our discussion centered on vote protection to ensure that the elections will be orderly, that all votes are counted and there will be no problem),” he said.
Marcos thanked the governors for their support and endorsement of his candidacy and for supporting his advocacy to unite the country.
Cua, in a press statement released by the Marcos camp, said the governors assured the UniTeam candidates of their solid support.
“Yung ating mga kasamahan na dumalo tonight voluntarily supporting our friend and our presidentiable, senator BBM. Aside from that, it’s an open dialogue para makuha naman ang concern at mga pangangailangan at mga prayoridad ng ibat -ibang gobernador all over the country (Those who attended tonight voluntarily supported our friend and our presidentiable, senator BBM. Aside from that, it was an open dialogue to hear the concerns, needs and priorities of the different governors all over the country),” he said.
Cua said the governors chose to support Marcos and Duterte-Carpio because they have a clear platform and direction on where they want to take the country.
He said their advocacy to unite the country was also among the considerations of the governors.
Cua said he believes that the track record and experience of Marcos, especially as a former governor, will be helpful in leading the country.Several local leaders of Pampanga led by Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. also endorsed the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte-Carpio whom they said believe are the best candidates to continue the programs and advocacies of President Duterte, especially the Build, Build, Build infrastructure development program.
“We have decided to heed and share UniTeam candidates’ call for unity, hope and patriotism. If they get elected, they will have the unparalleled opportunity to unite the country behind the challenges it will continue to face, like the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic and soaring fuel and consumer prices,” Gonzales said.
He expressed hope that Marcos and Duterte-Carpio will also support his proposal to introduce “meaningful political changes in our Constitution that will help sustain our country’s growth.”
Gonzales hosted a “meet and greet” among Marcos and Duterte-Carpio and local officials in his district in Mexico in Pampanga.
Marcos, Duterte-Carpio and the UniTeam senatorial candidates led by Rodante Marcoleta, Gregorio Honasan, and Herbert Bautista also attended a pre-birthday celebration of former president Gloria Arroyo.
A meeting with local officials and residents of Lubao in Pampanga was also arranged for the candidates.
PRRD FOR SARA
President Duterte, during the inspection of the Mataas na Kahoy evacuation center in Batangas, reiterated that he will not endorse any candidate except his daughter Duterte-Carpio.
“I am not supporting a candidate except of course my daughter. Ako boboto talaga ako sa anak ko (I am not supporting a candidate except of course my daughter. I will vote of course for my daughter),” he said.
The President, who is the chairman of the fragmented Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan also endorsed the senatorial candidates of the ruling party.
Duterte again said he prefers to remain neutral and not endorse any presidential candidate.
