10 more local chief execs back BBM-Sara UniTeam

MANILA, Philippines — Ten more governors, Pampanga lawmakers and leaders and Bicol leaders have expressed their support for the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio or the UniTeam tandem during a meeting last Sunday night at the BBM national headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

The governors were led by Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president and Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua.

Also present 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, Jerry Dalipog of Ifugao and Camiguin gubernatorial bet Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.

“You will see that there are governors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The representation in very small and intimate gathering is good,” Cua said iafter the meeting.

The local chief executives also assured the BBM-Sara UniTeam of their full support.

“The support is given. Of course, I feel (that) the provinces which attended today (will) give Marcos a big chance to win,” Cua said.

The governors said they chose to support the UniTeam because of its clear platform of government and the call of unity, which the country needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cua also expressed belief that Marcos will be an effective leader because of his experience in local government.

“I believe that to make the services of the entire government to be effective, it should not only be top management, but also the mid-management should also be very strong. And here, we see the good relations of the national government and local government, and it is better that our candidate was also a former governor of Ilocos Norte and he also knew our concern,” Cua said.

Marcos welcomed the support and endorsement of local chief executives.

“Thank you for your support. Let’s help each other make our country and its people to prosper,” he said.

Apart from concerns and priority programs in their respective provinces, Marcos said the informal but intimate meeting with the local chief executives, that coincided with the second Comelec-sponsored presidential debate, also tackled vote protection for the coming May 9 elections.

“Vote protection, that is what we talked about to make sure that the election will run smoothly – all the votes will be counted and no problem will arise,” he added.

Leaders of the group Chosen Countrywide Leaders Inc. (CCLI) and alliances for BBM-Sara 2022 have also expressed their full support for the candidacy of Carpio.

During a meeting in Bicol, the CCLI said it is also backing the candidacy of former senator Marcos and the rest of the UniTeam ticket.

Meanwhile, the BBM-Sara Alliance of Bicol Region said the tandem of Sara and Bongbong can continue the legacy of Duterte, adding that the President’s daughter is “genuinely talented and has the ability to stop the drug problem in the country.”

Better economy

Marcos vowed to lead the economy to a much better position than where it was prior to the pandemic if he is elected president.

He said his aim is to fast-track the government system “as soon as the new administration takes over and make it work to ensure immediate economic recovery.”

“I always say that my ambition is to bring the Philippines not from where we came from, our situation before the pandemic, but to invigorate our economy,” he added. – Delon Porcalla