(FILE) Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. campaigns in Mandaluyong. (Bongbong Marcos official facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday campaigned in his home province of Ilocos Norte—as he continues to visit provinces that are a part of what his camp calls as “Solid North”—ahead of the May 9 polls.
Marcos Jr. began his campaign with a motorcade visiting various towns across Ilocos Norte. Later tonight, a rally will be held at the Paoay Sand Dunes in support of Marcos’ presidential bid.
Marcos Jr. first served as vice governor of Ilocos Norte in 1980 at the age of 23. The sitting president of the country at that time was his father, the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Marcos Jr. was later elected as governor of the province in 1983 and held the post until 1986 when the historic EDSA People Power Revolution ousted his father.
But it seems that even the People Power Revolution could not weaken the hold of the Marcoses on the province as in 1998, Marcos Jr. was elected once again as Ilocos Norte governor.
He held the post until 2007 when he ran—and won—as representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte.
Solid North?
Marcos Jr.’s camp claims there is strong support for the presidential candidate and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in the northern part of the country—or what they have dubbed as “Solid North.”
Earlier this week, Marcos Jr. visited the province of Cagayan while on Thursday, the tandem will head to Ilocos Sur. They are also scheduled to campaign in Abra on Friday.
Marcos Jr.’s critics, however, believe there is no “Solid North.” In December last year, a group of residents from the so-called “Solid North” filed a disqualification case against Marcos Jr.
The case remains pending before the Commission on Election’s Second Division.