Presidential aspirtant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (right) and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio face supporters in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on after a caravan on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Photo from the Facebook page of Marcos)
MANILA, Philippines — The tandem of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will begin their national campaign at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the largest indoor arena in the world.
The “UniTeam” will hold its proclamation rally on Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Candidates for national posts usually hold a proclamation rally signaling the beginning of their official campaign ahead of the elections.
Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, said that in compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) guidelines, the event will be a “ticketed” event to properly observe social distancing and allowable capacity.
Currently, there are eleven senatorial candidates under the Marcos – Duterte slate:
- Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
- House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta
- Atty. Larry Gadon
- House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda
- Former senator Jinggoy Estrada
- Former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar
- Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
- Former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
- Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista
- Former senator Gringo Honasan
In the most recent Pulse Asia survey released in December 2021, Marcos and Duterte-Carpio led the presidential and vice-presidential race, respectively.
Marcos Jr., however, is still facing three disqualification cases—the decision on which has yet to be released by Comelec’s First Division.
In an interview with television host Korina Sanchez that aired Saturday, Marcos Jr. recognized the possibility of Duterte-Carpio replacing him if they win the May 9 elections and if the petition against him is granted.
Duterte-Carpio, however, said that talking about her “possibly replacing” Marcos is “exceptionally unpleasant.”