Marcos cites message of unity for lead in VP race

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Bongbong Marcos during a campaign sortie in Tarlac province on Monday, March 28, 2016.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

BACOLOD CITY—Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday attributed his rise to the top spot in the vice presidential race to his message of unity and cooperation.

“The situation in the Philippines will not improve and we will not be able to address our problems if we are not united in working to move forward,” Marcos said.

He expressed confidence that more people would support his campaign as he continued to spread his message of unity.

The senator said all of the vice presidential candidates were serious contenders.

On the statement that his victory would bring shame to the country, Marcos said it was up to the Filipino people to judge.

He said he did not have any offshore account and bank accounts outside of what he had declared in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

The senator was accompanied on his visit to Bacolod City on Tuesday by his wife, Louise Araneta Marcos, who has roots in Bago City, and his son, Sandro.

Marcos paid a courtesy call on Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella.

During his visit, at least 40 members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and the human rights group Karapatan staged a rally at the central market against the senator, the only son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“The Marcoses should not be allowed to return to power,” said Clarizza Dagatan, Karapatan Negros secretary general.

On those using martial law abuses to discredit his bid for the vice presidency, Marcos said the people were more interested in knowing how and what a candidate would do to improve their lives rather than discussing history.

Marcos maintained that his running mate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, remained a contender in the presidential race even if she only got a 2-percent rating in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

He said the survey results didn’t reflect Santiago’s strengths—the youth. Marcos pointed out that Santiago continued to be the No. 1 choice in mock polls in schools.  With a report from Jeannette I. Andrade in Manila

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