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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Erap, GMA throw support behind Bongbong-Sara Uniteam

Philippines

Erap, GMA throw support behind Bongbong-Sara Uniteam

By Melvin Sarangay

The political parties of two former Philippine presidents have given their support to the Bongbong-Sara Uniteam of Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and vice-presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio as their official bets in the upcoming 2022 May national elections.

The Lakas-CMD party of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada forged an alliance with Marcos' Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Inday Sara's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) Thursday, Nov. 25.

The said alliance is expected to further boost the position of the Bongbong-Sara Uniteam as the duo to beat in the upcoming national polls.

The backing of former Presidents Estrada and Macapagal-Arroyo also bolsters the unifying leadership called for by Marcos and Duterte-Carpio, who are both in the process of solidifying support in their "Solid North" and "Solid South" bailiwick.

The coalition also gives way to a formidable political bloc that has helped Macapagal-Arroyo, Estrada, and former president Fidel V. Ramos achieve political victory in the past presidential elections.

"We have come together on the basis of unity. And it is this unifying forces that I believe will bring the stability back first to the political arena, and secondly, to the country," the former lawmaker said.

Duterte-Carpio, on the other hand, is hopeful that more political parties will join the Bongbong-Sara Uniteam as she asked the supporters of the newly-formed unity alliance to approach other groups in the warmup to the coming 2022 national elections.

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