Go’s withdrawal boosts support for UniTeam ticket — Bongbong Marcos
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. speaks during the Agri 2022 Online Forum. Image from Facebook / Bongbong Marcos
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and former senator Bongbong Marcos said Senator Bong Go’s withdrawal from the presidential race has allowed the consolidation of administration forces in his UniTeam ticket with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for the 2022 polls.
Marcos in a statement on Wednesday said Go’s ‘selfless gesture’ is a signal to the rest of the administration supporters to rally behind BBM-Sara UniTeam.
“The call for a unified nation is getting stronger by the day. The withdrawal of Sen. Bong Go from the presidential race reinforces this current and signals the consolidation of administration forces to the BBM-Sara UniTeam,” Marcos said.
“Sen. Bong Go clearly acted his part in strengthening those of us aligned with the Duterte Administration. His withdrawal only mirrored his worth as a true public servant, one who is willing to sacrifice his personal aspirations to serve a common purpose and a higher cause: a unified nation crucial to the national interest,” he added.
But while Marcos commended Go, he admitted being sad about Duterte’s withdrawal from the Senate race.
“On another note, we are saddened by the unexpected withdrawal of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from the Senate race. President Duterte has achieved so much for the country in a short period of time,” he said.
“Although we welcomed with utmost gladness when he earlier filed his Certificate of Candidacy for senator, we respect the wisdom in his decision to withdraw his CoC,” he added.
On Tuesday, Go and Duterte headed separately to the Commission on Elections to withdraw their candidacies, for president and senator, respectively.
READ: Bong Go formally withdraws from 2022 presidential race
READ: Duterte withdraws from senatorial race
Marcos meanwhile vowed the BBM-Sara UniTeam will continue Duterte’s legacy, saying it would be “guided by his wisdom.”
“If given the chance, the BBM-Sara UniTeam shall continue his legacy programs and, guided by his wisdom, even enhance some of them when necessary. Rest assured, Mr. President, your sacrifices for this country will not come to naught,” he claimed.
“With a unified nation, we shall have peace, unity, and progress. Indeed, our country shall be great once again,” he added.
Earlier, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the PDP-Laban wing that he leads would remain a dominant party, as he acknowledged Go and Duterte’s withdrawal from their respective 2022 national election candidacies.
Some groups, however, claim that the withdrawals of Go and Duterte only show that their decisions to run in the 2022 polls were nothing but leverage so that they would escape alleged criminal responsibility after the President’s term ends.
READ: After COC withdrawal, leftist groups say Duterte, Go’s 2022 bids ‘merely for leverage’
