Four political of the country's major parties on Thursday, Nov. 25 formally forged a coalition to support the presidential bid of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in the 2022 national elections.
Top officials of national parties Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-CMD Christian Democrats (Lakas-CMD); Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and the Davao-based regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) signed the “UniTeam Alliance Agreement” in ceremonies held at a Pasay City hotel.
Signatories headed by PFP president and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.; Lakas-CMD president and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; PMP president former Senator Jinggoy Estrada and HNP president and Davao Occidental Claude Bautista said they are one in pursuing good governance, in reforming to reboot and rebound the economy; in sustaining the COVID-19 war and national unification and healing as one team.
All four parties have agreed to adopt as Marcos and Duterte as their presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively.
Marcos is the PFP chairman while Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is the chairperson of both Lakas-CMD and HNP.
The agreement also provided that “all partners shall be allowed to field one senatorial candidate in the line-up” for the Senate.
Estrada, who is running for senator, is assured of one slot in the coalition’s Senate line up.
“Whereas, Convenor and Partners have a shared vision that will guide and lead the nation in the goal to achieve sustainable growth and development of the Regions in the country,” the alliance document read.
The political organizations also stressed that convenors and partners of the agreement "seek a peaceful and democratic way of life for their constituency, with their leaders establishing programs geared towards ensuring the establishment and maintenance of communities characterized by a strong nation and secured life for all--- where freedom is upheld, men and women practice tolerance, individual dignity and the rule of law is observed.
It added that all the parties, including their partners, are “cognizang of the fulfillment of this shared vision through unity among political organizations.” Except for Mayor Duterte who sent a video message and her co-chairperson at Lakas CMD, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., all key officials of the four political groups were present in the ceremony.