WITH a little over a month left before the scheduled May 9 elections, expressions of support continue to pile up for presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and his running-mate Inday Sara Duterte, thus further enhancing their chances in the coming polls.
And the latest to pledge support for their candidacies were the tens of thousands of residents of Malabon City who attended the UniTeam’s rally at the Pinagtipunan Circle in Brgy. Potrero, Malabon on Sunday.
During the rally, the residents kept chanting “May nanalo na!” to which he jokingly replied, “Ganun ba? Sige, magpapasalamat na lang pala ako.”
The support for the tandem was earlier demonstrated during the tandem’s motorcade around the said city as tens of thousands of residents patiently waited by the roadside under the scorching sun to greet them.
Even Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, one of UniTeam’s senatorial bet, was overwhelmed by the number of people who came out of their homes to meet and greet the candidates.
“Pang-pitong kampanya ko na ito pero ito lang ang nakita kong pinakamaraming taong sumasalubong sa caravan. Halos hindi na makagalaw ang caravan sa dami ng taong sumasalubong,” he said.
For his part, Marcos urged the people to let their warm welcome remind them of the day that the movement for unity took root in Malabon until the movement becomes successful in its quest to unite Filipinos to steer the country towards recovery.
“Alalahananin natin na sa init ng ating salubong, ngayong araw na ito sinimulan ang kilusan ng pagkakaisa. Hanggang sa makamit natin ang tunay na tagumpay na napagkaisa natin ang mga Pilipino. At masasabi na natin, ‘Kaming mga Pilipino, kahit ano ang ibato niyo sa amin ay makakalagpas kami dahil ang mga Pilipino ay nagmamahalan, nagtutulungan at nagkakaisa’,” he said.
Meanwhile, multi-talented singer and entertainment celebrity Randy Santiago, one of the emcees for the rally, declared that he does not charge professional fee for his services because he believes in UniTeam’s advocacy.
“Voluntary po ang pagsama ko sa mga rally para mag-host, etc. Lahat naman ng kandidato may qualifications at may tapat na hangarin para maglingkod sa bayan. Pero siyempre kailangan mo ring pag-isipan kung sino ang susuportahan mo,” he said.
“Sa tingin ko sina BBM at Sara ang magiging maganda ang pamamalakad sa bansa. Naniniwala ako na kailangan talagang magkaisa para mai-angat at umunlad ang Pilipinas at ang UniTeam lang ang may ganitong advocacy,” he also pointed out.
On the other hand, veteran comedian Herman “Isko” Salvador, popularly known as Brod Pete, also declared that he was providing his talents for free in the campaign.
“Sina BBM at ang buong UniTeam ang makakapagpabangong muli sa Pilipinas. Tama ‘yung sinasabi ni BBM na kung sila ni Mayor Sara na galing sa Norte at sa Mindanao ay nagkaisa, makakaya nila mapagkaisa ang buong bansa,” he said.
“Talagang sumusuporta ako sa kanila dahil ang pamilya namin ay talagang supporter ng mga Marcos kasi ang tatay ko ay talagang loyalista. Nakagisnan ko na siyang hangang-hanga kay President Marcos, lalo na pag nag-i-speech si Macoy, bilib na bilib ang tatay ko,” he said.
Meanwhile, Helen Jacobe of the BBM-Sara Movement said they fully support Marcos and Duterte because they want progress for the country.
While Brgy. Potrero residents Carina Montarez, Lina Lualhati, and Myrna Montarez said they have been waiting at the rally site for hours because they wanted to see and listen to Marcos in person.
