MANILA, Philippines — The National Unity Party on Thursday formally endorsed the candidacy of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos, its Deputy Secretary-General Reggie Velasco announced Thursday.
The announcement of support came shortly after Partido Reporma said it was shifting support to Vice President Leni Robredo from Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who said he was going to continue his presidential campaign as an independent.
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"BBM's call for unity as the basic strategy for economic recovery amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and global uncertainties is consistent and supportive of the NUP’s primary vision of 'one nation, one future' as enshrined in the Party constitution," Velasco said in a statement.
"We call upon all our Party members to join hands with former Senator Marcos in bringing our country and people to continued prosperity and progress."
NUP, formed in 2010 by former members of what used to be the Lakas Kampi CMD party, supported Marcos in his vice-presidential camapign in 2016. The party also backed then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was elected president.
Reform Party alliance
The Reform Party also formalized an alliance with Marcos the day prior. In a simple ceremony at the BBM Headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas Secretary General Thompson Lantion and RP president James Layug led the signing of an agreement.
Layug pointed to what he said was the Marcos camp's "sincere response for continuity, sustainability and predictability in the successful programs of the Duterte administration."
He said that the UniTeam, the nickname of the tandem of Marcos and Sara Duterte, committed to continue the incumbent government’s Build, Build, Build program, digital infrastructure, war against drugs, criminality and corruption.
Palace confirms Duterte met with Marcos
Later Thursday, the Palace confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte met with Marcos.
"It was a cordial and productive meeting, where the president shared his experiences and insights as an outgoing chief executive with the presidential aspirant," acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said.
"President Duterte likewise discussed the current government's major achievements and gave pieces of advice to Mr. Marcos. In connection with this, the President expressed optimism that his administration's notable programs and projects will be continued by the next administration."
Duterte earlier threw subtle jabs at Marcos, who is running alongside presidential daughter Sara Duterte, without mentioning him by name.
When Duterte's faction of the ruling PDP-Laban decided to endorse Marcos, the party's resolution doing so was not signed by Duterte, who chairs that faction.
The Palace at the time told the public that it was best to just wait for Duterte's word about whether or not he was joining the party in that endorsement.
READ: Is Duterte joining party in endorsing Marcos? Palace says best to wait for him to say