Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will visit Ilocos Norte on Friday in a bid to woo the Ilocano votes for the May national elections.
Ilocos Norte, a known bailiwick of the Marcoses, is known for its “Solid North” vote, which refers to the strong electoral support of the Ilocanos to the Marcos clan or to politicians they endorsed.
Duterte is expected to arrived at the Laoag International Airport at around 1 p.m. He will have a motorcade to the provincial capitol in Laoag City where he would pay a courtesy call to Gov. Imee Marcos, older sister of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is running for the vice presidency.
Governor Imee is the oldest daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The tough-talking mayor is expected to have a press conference at the provincial capitol at around 2 p.m.
The mayor will also meet with local officials, the Muslim groups in Ilocos Norte, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the women’s sector to discuss federalism, among other issues.
Duterte and Gov. Marcos will also meet with Monsignor Mario Garaza of Laoag.
Accompanied by Gov.Marcos, Duterte would visit the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac where the glass-encased coffin bearing Ferdinand Sr.’s embalmed body. It has been on public display since Ferdinand Sr.’s remains were brought home in 1993.
Before leaving for Manila, Duterte will address students and faculty members of the Mariano Marcos State University at around 4:40 p.m.
In previous speaking engagements, Duterte has said that the late President Marcos was the brightest Philippine President except for the time he refused to step down from office.
Duterte said it was under the Marcos regime when the government introduced “Biyayang Dagat,” a program for fishermen, and “Masagana 99,” which benefited rice farmers.
The mayor said he wanted to continue those programs if he wins in May. TVJ
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