Nacionalista Party (NP) member, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba has thrown his support behind the UniTeam tandem of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential bet Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as a way to thank President Duterte.
"Noon pa (Even before,) I was for Sara. I committed that to President Digong whether she runs for president or vice president," Mamba said in a press interview on the sidelines of Duterte-Carpio’s campaign sortie in Cagayan on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
According to Mamba, his endorsement of the UniTeam duo is rooted in his gratitude to President Duterte for all the support he has shown his province.
"Ang daming ginawa ni President Digong dito sa Cagayan (President Digong has done a lot for Cagayan) and Mayor Sara has been always helping us during our calamity days. We were hit by two super typhoons and a mega flood, Davao City has always been with us.
“Mayor Digong visited us five times, lahat ng aming kalamidad and support sa anti-insurgency and anti-drugs ginawa niya (he supported us through all of our calamities, and in our anti-surgency and anti-drug campaigns). These are some of our biggest problems and the dredging of the Cagayan river started in his administration," Mamba added.
Interestingly, Mamba recounted that he didn't even support the elder Duterte when the latter ran for the presidency in 2016. "I was with Mar ," he bared.
Mamba also called on other provincial leaders, officials, and especially his constituents to support the BBM-Sara tandem.
Furthermore, Mamba noted that his party, NP, has also endorsed the Marcos and Duterte-Carpio electoral ticket.
Marcos is vying for the presidency under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), while Duterte-Carpio is running for the vice presidency under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).