Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — Just after topping the latest presidential survey, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. held a rally in vote-rich Quezon City where he once again repeated his push for unity—saying it is no longer just a “message,” but a “movement.”
Marcos stood before his supporters at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, repeating and stressing his same call for unity which has been a consistent theme in speeches he has been delivering as he visits various parts of the country ahead of the May 2022 presidential elections.
READ: Marcos Jr. repeats lone battle cry for 2022 polls in campaign kick-off: Unity
“‘Yan ang dahilan kung bakit ‘yung bulong na nagsimula na pagsang-ayon sa ating kilusan ng ating pagkakaisa ay hindi na lang bulong kundi naging sigaw na at ‘yung aming dating mensahe lamang ay naging kilusan na—naging kilusan ng pagkakaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Marcos said.
“Ito ang ating panalangin, ito ang ating pangarap, ito ang ating layunin para sa ating bansa—itong pagkakaisa. Pag ito’y nagawa natin, pag ito’y napagpatuloy natin ang kilusan ng pagkakaisa, ay papasikatin natin muli ang Pilipinas, papagandahin na naman natin ang Pilipinas at haharap tayo sa boung mundo,” he added.
According to Marcos, unity is the first step to overcome the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic which has so far killed over 55,000 individuals in the country.
“Kaya naman ay tamang-tama din yan sa mensahe ng UniTeam dahil kami ni Inday Sara ay mula noong Nobyembre pa ay umiikot-ikot kami sa buong Pilipinas at isinisigaw namin at ipinapahayag namin ang aming adhikain ng pagkakaisa,” Marcos said, referring to his running mate, Davao City mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“Dahil sa aking palagay—at tapat ang aking paniniwala—na sa hinaharap dating krisis ay ang kailangan dating unang hakbang na gawin ay magkaisa,” he added.
Marcos said that while the Philippines is slowly moving towards recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, Filipinos still have to face its impact particularly to the country’s economy.
“Marami tayong gagawin. Nakita natin ang mga pagkukulang sa patakbo ng ating pamahalaan. Kailangan natin tulungan ang mga maliliit na negosyante dahil sila ay mabigat ang kanilang dala, sila ay nalubog sa utang, sila’y hindi mabuksan ulit ang kanilang mga negosyo,” Marcos said.
“Kailangan natin ayusin ang ating agrikultura spang may sapat tayong pagkain para sa Lahat at binawasan natin ang importasyon na galing sa labas,” he added.
Marcos added that the tourism industry should also be revived to provide jobs to those relying on the sector. On top of this, Marcos said infrastructure projects should also be continued while internet connectivity in the country should be improved.
“Maraming marami pa tayong kailangang gawin,” Marcos said.
The proclamation rally in Quezon City was held just a day after the release of the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from Jan. 19 to 24 which showed Marcos miles ahead the other presidential candidates.
Based on the survey, Marcos scored 60 percent, with Vice President Leni Robredo in far second at 16 percent, followed by Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (both at 8 percent) and Sen. Panfilo Lacson at 4 percent.
READ: Marcos Jr. and Duterte still leading in Pulse Asia poll
This makes the visit to Quezon City—the most vote-rich city in the country—crucial. Quezon City has over 1.4 million registered voters, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Just days prior to the visit in Quezon City, the Marcos camp also visited the province of Cavite, the second most vote-rich province in the country.