Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement of his decision to join the 2022 presidential derby was a move on the part of his camp to avoid falling to ‘political sleight’.
This was gathered from a source from the Marcos headquarters who revealed that before bolting the Nacionalista Party to join the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on Tuesday, Oct. 5, the former legislator was advised not to make any announcement about his presidential bid and wait for the opportune time to do it.
“Analyzing the events that have unfolded the past few days, it became clear to us that we have to move fast and publicly proclaim the decision to seek the presidency,” the source added.
The source did not specify which events was being referred to.
Marcos announced his presidential bid after accepting the chairmanship of the PFP during the inauguration of his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.
“As I speak to you today, our beloved Philippines faces one of the greatest tests in history. The global pandemic destroyed the lives of people... of communities. And if we have learned anything in this time of Covid pandemic, it is that each of us, no matter our station in life, needs the help of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.
“We must face this challenge as one... as one country... as one people. Together we must work towards a shared vision for our country through Covid and beyond Covid... to find a way through this crisis with a common goal, a vision to guide us and to lead us,” he continued.
“That is why I am announcing here today my intention to run for the Presidency of the Philippines in the coming May 2022 elections. I will bring that form of unifying leadership back to our country,” declared the former senator.
He stated: “Join me in this noblest of causes and we will succeed. Sama-sama tayong babangon muli (Let’s join hands to rise again).” Lawyer Victor Rodriguez, PFP’s executive vice president and general campaign manager for the 2022 elections, said that despite separating from NP, Marcos will continue consider the party an “important ally.” “Bongbong Marcos is now the Chairman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and NP will still be a very important ally as we have embraced the policy of having the broadest political alliances,” said Rodriguez.
NP was the political party that Bongbong’s father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, represented when he won his term as president in 1965.
There remained no decision yet on who will backstop the young Marcos as vice presidential candidate for 2022.
The Marcos camp will be relying heavily on the PFP, and other voting blocs and allied political parties for support. Included are the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan; Partido Lakas ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Labor Party of the Philippines, Federal Youth and others.
“BBM’s support base extends now to the grassroots level in the Visayas, where his mother’s family holds strong influence with the local politicians and Mindanao, where the PFP maintains a stronghold because its party president, Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., is the incumbent governor of South Cotabato,” Rodriguez said.
He stated: “Though the strength of the Marcoses originates in the Ilocandia provinces where his father had invested heavily in local politics by introducing enormous developments in the region and developing rapport with the local leaders.”