It runs in the blood.
Willingness to serve runs in the blood of offspring of four former presidents who were behind the establishment of the UniTeam Coalition that bound four of the country’s political parties to push for the election next year of two of them - former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Marcos and Duterte, aspirants for presidential and vice presidential posts, were joined by former Senator Jinggoy Estrada in forming the coalition that was formally launched on Thursday, Nov. 25.
Marcos, son of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, is the chairman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) while Mayor Duterte, daughter of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, chairs both Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
On the other hand, Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, heads the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, daughter of the late President Diosdado Macapagal, has declared strong support for the UniTeam Coalition. She holds the position of chairperson emeritus of Lakas-CMD.
“Aside from the fact na kaming tatlo po ay pawang mga anak ng presidente, hindi na po maiaalis sa aming kamalayan sa aming dugo, at sa aming mga puso ang makapaglingkod sa ating mahal na bayan. (Aside from the fact that the three of us are all children of a president, the willingness to serve our beloved country will no longer be taken out from our sensibilities, our blood and our hearts),” Estrada said during the signing ceremony of the coalition agreement.
The former senator noted that like him, Marcos and Duterte started serving the country as local government executives. Marcos headed Ilocos Norte as governor while Duterte has served many years as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City.
Estrada was former mayor of San Juan City.
“We all place higher premium in the importance of strengthening our grassroots our local government units through positive and progressive nation building,” he said.
“Ang masasabi ko po ay kung iba ang aming brand of service ito ay dahil may kaakibat na pagnanasa na makapagbayad ng utang na loob sa sambyaanang Pilipino na patuloy na nagmamahal at tumatangkilik sa aming mga pamilya. (What I can say about the difference in our brand of service is because with it comes our desire to pay a debt of gratitude to Filipinos for their continued love and support to our families),” stated Estrada.
The former legislator urged the public to give the UniTeam of Marcos and Duterte solid support that will pursue “our common agenda of peace, progress and prosperity to our beloved country.”