FILE PHOTO: Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
PANIQUI, Tarlac — The tandem of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio secured another endorsement: This time, from the governor of Tarlac—the home province of late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Tarlac Governor Susan Yap made the endorsement Saturday as the Duterte-Marcos UniTeam tandem campaigned in the province. Marcos Jr. lost to now Vice President Leni Robredo in Tarlac in the 2016 elections.
“Of course, the UniTeam (Marcos-Duterte tandem),” Yap said when asked by reporters if she is endorsing any candidate in the upcoming presidential elections.
Yap, however, clarified that the endorsement is only her “personal decision” and is not reflective of her party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) which, as a party, has yet to endorse a presidential candidate.
The Tarlac governor said about 14 mayors in the province are supporting the Marcos-Duterte tandem, as she vowed to deliver 50 to 60 percent of votes in the province to the election frontrunners.
Ninoy Aquino was a key opposition figure during the administration of Marcos Jr.’s father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.
His assassination served as one of the triggers to what would later become the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos Sr. from power.
Tarlac leaders also backing Marcos-Duterte tandem
Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap, who is also a member of the NPC, said members of the party in the province are also backing the Marcos-Duterte tandem.
“Si governor, kinausap lahat ng mga miyembro ng [NPC] Tarlac, pati ang mga pamilyang kinikilala natin dito tulad ng mga Cojuangco. Kinausap din niya ang mga leader ng partido upang ibigay ang laya na tayo ay sumunod na dito sa [Marcos-Duterte] tandem,” Rep. Yap said during the tandem’s meet-and-greet with local and sectoral leaders in Tarlac City.
According to Rep. Yap, Marcos is the “best candidate” for president in the May 9 elections.
“Nakita ko ang kasimplehan niya, nakita natin sa kanyang pagkakandidato ngayon ang laman ng kanyang mga programa sa larangan ng investments, infrastructure, agrikultura, social services, digital infrastructure,” Rep. Yap said.
“Ako ay bilib sa mga modelo nila,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rep. Yap said the Dutertes never left Tarlac behind, saying the province benefited from the Build, Build, Build program.
“I feel the warmth of this administration and it is my responsibility to really campaign hard for her, no other than ang aking minamahal at nakilala ko Mayor Sara Duterte,” Gov. Yap said.