Marcos barnstorms Northern, Eastern Samar after losing in province in 2016 VP polls

At least 7,000 people show up at the rally of presidential candidate, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman town, Northern Samar. Contributed photo by Dan Niegas

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the bad weather, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. brought his campaign to Northern Samar and Eastern Samar on Friday following his loss in both provinces in the 2016 vice presidential elections.

Marcos Jr. first attended the rally at the University of Eastern Philippines grandstand in Catarman in Northern Samar where he was welcomed by his rain-soaked supporters.

His running mate, Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, was represented by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who once filed his own certificate of candidacy (COC) for presidency but later withdrew it.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong mainit na pagsalubong kahit umuulan,” Marcos told the crowd.

“Ang tambalang Marcos-Duterte ay ang pinakamagandang simbolo ng pagkakaisa dahil kung ang isang taga-Norte at ang isang taga-Mindanao ay kaya namang magkaisa at magsama, siguro naman kaya namin ipagkaisa ang buong sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.

It was vice gubernatorial candidate and former Catarman mayor Capo Carpio that hosted Marcos in Northern Samar. The incumbent mayor of the province, Edwin Ongchuan, has endorsed the presidential bid of Marcos’ closest rival Vice President Leni Robredo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiEj4IZqrko

READ: Northern Samar gov endorses Robredo for president

“Ang pinakahihintay nating lahat. Ang pangarap niya ay pagkakaisa. Kaya naman kasama niya ang sambayanang Pilipino na naniniwala sa kanya,” Carpio, who belongs in the same political party as Marcos, said in introducing the presidential bet.

After campaigning in Northern Samar, Marcos, together with several senatorial candidates running under the UniTeam slate, then went to Borongan City in Eastern Samar.

“Kuhanan niyo nga ng video ito at sabihin niyong bayad itong mga ito,” Marcos said in addressing the rain-soaked crowd in Borongan City.

Eastern Samar governor Ben Evardone has also endorsed Robredo’s presidential bid but his wing in the PDP-Laban has endorsed Marcos’ presidential bid.

READ: PDP-Laban honcho and Duterte ally Evardone backs Robredo

Marcos lost to Robredo in both Northern Samar and Eastern Samar in the 2016 vice presidential elections.

Sara Duterte to become a supportive VP, says Bato

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, said that voters should vote for the Marcos-Duterte tandem to ensure the continuity of the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Dela Rosa, Duterte-Carpio will be a good addition to Marcos’ team as she will support the presidential candidate’s plans for the country.

“Sabi niya, Sir Bato, kailangan iparating mo doon sa ating mga kababayan sa Eastern Samar ha, na kung ako maging bise presidente, siguraduhin ko na ako’y isang very supportive at very cooperative na bise president sa ating pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” Dela Rosa told the crowd in Borongan City.

Dela Rosa also hit Robredo, claiming that the Vice President only criticized the Duterte administration.

“Habang si Pangulong Duterte ay bising-busy sa kanyang ginagawa para gumanda ang pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino, ‘yung kanyang bise president pumunta sa abroad at walang ibang ginawa kung hindi siraan ang ating sariling bayan, nagsinungaling pa doon sa international community, nagsabi na meron daw crimes against humanity dito sa Pilipinas,” Dela Rosa said.

“Sabi nga ni Mayor Inday Sara, dapat fully supportive sa pangulo ang kanyang bise para maging successful ang ating gobyerno, ang susunod na administrasyon,” he added.

Aside from Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, Marcos is also set to campaign in Samar province and Biliran.

JPV