Binay rides on ‘Binay-Bongbong’ tandem in ‘Solid North’ Pangasinan

Vice President Jejomar Binay holds his campaign rally in Alaminos City, Pangasinan before a backdrop showing the tandem between him and vice presidential bet Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. PHOTO BY MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan—Vice President Jejomar Binay took his campaign here riding on the wave of the “Solid North” support for his tandem with vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Binay was not accompanied by his running mate Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II when he held a campaign rally on Friday at the Plaza Braganza covered court accompanied by reelectionist Pangasinan First District Representative Jesus “Boying” Celeste.

Binay spoke before an audience clad in white shirts with the words “Binay, Bongbong, Boying” at the back.

Posters of Marcos’ and Binay’s faces were also set up around the stage during the vice president’s campaign rally.

Celeste and other local officials even wore polo shirts with the words “Pres. Binay, Vice President Marcos” embroidered on a Philippine flag badge on the chest.

In an interview with reporters after the rally, Binay said he respected Celeste and the local government officials’ decision to support Marcos instead of Honasan.

“Tingnan natin kung ‘yon ang gusto ng tao (Let us see if the people want it). In an honest and peaceful election, we will have to respect it,” Binay said.

For his part, Celeste said the local officials in his district support Marcos because the latter is a fellow Ilocano.

Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, known for imposing martial law that resulted in several human rights violations and extrajudicial killings, hailed from Ilocos Norte.

“Kasi dito po sa amin sa North Luzon, maski sa Congress, merong Northern Luzon block. Meron ‘Solid North,’” Celeste said.

(Here in North Luzon and in Congress, there is a Northern Luzon block. There is a ‘Solid North.’)

“Bongbong Marcos is an Ilocano. Isa siya sa mga kasama namin… Ilokano din po (si Binay), nag-uusap din kami ng Ilokano. Basta Ilokano ka po, mayroon pong parang samahan,” he added.

(Bongbong Marcos is an Ilocano. He has been with with us… Binay is an Ilocano as well, we speak in Ilocano. When you are an Ilocano, there is what we can call unity.)

Marcos has been leading the vice presidential surveys, despite human rights violations hounding his family’s name. RAM

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