Rains fail to dampen Marcos supporters in Tacloban rally

TACLOBAN CITY — Incessant rain failed to dampen the campaign sortie of former senator and presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in this city on Saturday evening, March 9.

Marcos, whose mother hails from Leyte, turned emotional during a rally which was attended by a crowd of “around 150,000,” according to the Tacloban police office.

“Medyo naluha ako kasi ngayon ko lang narinig ang Pambansang Awit na kinanta ng ganitong karaming tao. Pinapalala sa atin kung gaano natin kamahal ang ating bansang Pilipinas at lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino,” he said.

(Somehow, I cried when I heard the Pambansang Awit sung by as many people as these. This reminds us of how much we love the Philippines and its people).

Marcos said he was overwhelmed by the big turnout of his supporters, many of whom came from other parts of Leyte despite the strong rains spawned by Tropical Depression “Agaton.”

He said his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, wanted to go with him to Leyte but he advised her to stay home due to the continuing threat of COVID-19.

Marcos said his mother was following the political rally in Tacloban as it was being streamed live through social media.

Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and his elder brother, former Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla, earlier expressed support for Marcos.

The Petillas are considered to be the most dominant political family in Leyte which has a voting population of 1.3 million, the country’s 14th vote-rich province.

The crowd prior to the main event was entertained by singers and performers at the Leyte Sports Complex.

Among the senatoriables who attended the rally were lawyer Larry Gadon, Senator Miguel Zubiri, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, former Public Works secretary Mark Villar, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, and actor Robin Padilla.

Marcos’ son, William Vincent, also joined the rally.

According to the organizers, the Tacloban sortie drew around 200,000 people while the Tacloban police office estimated a crowd of around 150,000.