Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson said he was surprised by the highly "volunteer-driven" campaign of the tandem of presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and aspiring vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio.
"Ngayon lang ako nakakita na ang mga tao mismo, volunteers ang nangunguna na nagsusuporta sa susunod na presidente natin, si Bongbong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at gayundin ang ating kaibigan, si Mayor Inday Sara (It is only now that I've the people themselves, the volunteers leading the support for our next president, Bongbong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and also our friend, Mayor Inday Sara)," Singson, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, said during his speech in Narvacan during the BBM-Sara UniTeam campaign rally Thursday night, Feb. 17.
Singson said there is "no doubt" that it is the volunteers who are expressing their support for the tandem and the local officials are only following their lead.
Citing his experience in his municipality, Singson said everyone is now throwing their support for Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio.
"Walang exception, sumama lahat (There's no exception. Everybody joined)," he said.
Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson, Singson's son, echoed his father's sentiments. He thanked the crowd for coming to the event even at nighttime to show their support.
The governor then introduced Duterte as "his vice president and Ilocos Sur's vice president".
The opposition tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan have also claimed that their campaign is mainly powered by their volunteers on the ground.