MANILA — The “campaign for unity” of vice presidential hopeful and senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given birth to what sounds like a nursery rhyme: Du-Bo, Bi-Bo and Ro-Ma.
Du-Bo, Bi-Bo and Ro-Ma may seem like a phonetic exercise but they stand for Duterte-Bongbong, Binay-Bongbong and Roxas-Marcos.
At Thursday’s inauguration of the Marcos campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, groups supporting different presidential candidates gathered to back the senator’s candidacy.
They included the Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong (ALDUB), represented by former Rep. Prospero Nograles; the Binay-Bongbong (BIBO) group of Santiago, Isabela Mayor Amy Navarro; and the Alyansang Roxas-Marcos (AROMA) of Pandan, Antique Jonathan Tan.
Also present were leaders of the Umayamnon tribe of Bukidnon province and of transportation groups: Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines; Pasang Masda; the Association of Concerned Transport Organizations; and the Liga ng Transportasyon at Opereytors sa Pilipinas.
Two figures from the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution also attended – ex-Army Lt. Col. Alexander Noble and former Col. Proceso Maligalig – as well as historian Rolando Quintos and the brother of Presidential Adviser Ging Deles.
Marcos said he was happy opposing groups were supporting him. He said it was proof his message of national unity was “gaining momentum.”
“I welcome any expression of support, any help that anyone is willing to give us,’’ he said in a statement.
Marcos’ camp claimed his campaign for unity had been getting support in Northern Luzon with politicians from opposing parties endorsing his candidacy.
In Metro Manila, Marcos has received the endorsements of San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the Eusebio clan in Pasig City. SFM