7k attend Marcos rally in Catarman

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

CATARMAN, Northern Samar––At least 7,000 people showed up during a rally Friday of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in this town.

Marcos, Jr., son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was not with his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. She sent Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as her representative.

Marcos, Jr. was with his six senatorial candidates as they arrived at the Catarman airport on board separate private planes past 8 a.m.

The six were Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Miguel Zubiri, Rep. Dante Marcoleta, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, actor Robin Padilla, and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos Jr., met them.

Despite the drizzle, the group held a rally at the University of Eastern Philippines, some 5 kilometers from the airport.

About 7,000 people attended the rally.

The rain stopped when the rally started at 9 a.m. Marcos reiterated his campaign brand of “Pagkakaisa, Pagtutulungan at Pagmamahalan (unity, cooperation, and love),” as the key to a brighter future for the Philippines.

He told the crowd that he would work for better quality education and continue the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program.

Marcos’ activity came two weeks after his main contender, Vice President Leni Robredo, held a rally also at UEP, where 73,000 people braved the rains on the evening of March 28.

In her speech, Robredo promised to work for the complete electrification of the province and resolve its poor internet connection if elected president in May.

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