Another Leni ally switches to BBM

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Another former ally of Vice President Leni Robredo has switched sides and now supports presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The Petilla clan that has been occupying the gubernatorial post here in Leyte yesterday committed support for Marcos instead of Robredo whom they supported in the previous election.

Returning Gov. Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, who is running to replace his younger brother Leopoldo Dominico in the provincial capitol, said they decided to support Marcos this time to have someone from the province sit as president of the country.

“Number one here really is that he’s from Leyte. I’m running for governor and I’m really looking at what is advantageous for Leyte. From the immediate past, we haven’t anybody from Leyte (sit as president) and this is our time,” he explained in an interview. Marcos’ mother, former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos is a native of Tolosa, Leyte.

Petilla, who served as energy secretary during the administration of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, admitted that Philippine politics is “regionalistic.”

“That’s why here in Leyte, we support our province mate,” he pointed out.Petilla explained that they supported the vice presidential bid of Robredo in the 2016 elections because she sought their family’s support then.

“We actually waited for the camp of BBM to approach then, but they did not. But this time around, they already approached us,” he revealed.

The Petillas are considered to be the most dominant political family in Leyte which has a voting population of 1.3 million.

They committed to deliver 70% of the province’s votes for Marcos who led a three-stop campaign sortie in the province yesterday in Baybay, Ormoc and Tacloban Cities.

This translates to over 900,000 votes.Meanwhile, Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado also assured Marcos and vice presidential runningmate Sara Duterte of their province’s support.

Mercado led the signing of a “Statement of Support” with other local officials to formally endorse the BBM-Sara tandem.

Among the other signatories are Vice Governor Coco Yao, who is now running for congressman in the 2nd District of the province,  and Maasin City Mayor Nacional “Nikki” Mercado.

Joining them in their call for unity are eight board members, municipal mayors, and two district representatives.

The local officials through their 'statement of support' expressed their confidence for the UniTeam and declared that Marcos and Duterte will continue all the programs of Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte for Southern Leyte.

"We believe that this ticket will best represent our collective interest in continuing the legacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the many great things his administration has accomplished," it said.

The officials vowed to bring victory for Marcos and Duterte in the province as they give their 100% support to them.

"We will do everything  for this tandem to win. We will give our 100% full support to Marcos and Duterte for they can lead and unite the country," they said.

They added that the BBM-Sara UniTeam tandem is needed in order for the country to achieve its goal of progress and development.

"This is the team that epitomizes the kind of leaders we need to help us fulfill our dream and hopes for our country," the officials said.