Opposing candidates for the gubernatorial seat in Pangasinan province are both rallying for presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and aspiring vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Reelectionist Governor Amado Espino III and his rival, Ramon Guico on Saturday, Feb. 19 both endosed Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio, which further consolidated support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam in the so-called “Solid North”.
According to Lakas-CMD, the party chaired by Duterte-Carpio, the key leaders from the vote-rich province “have temporarily set aside local politics and party affiliations" in backing UniTeam.
This came after Espino, member of the ruling party PDP-Laban, welcomed Duterte-Carpio in her visit to the province. Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil of the National Unity Party (NUP) joined him.
"Very loyal naman po tayo at the same time kay Presidente , siyempre 'yung programa ng ating President malamang itutuloy rin naman...ng ating mahal na magiging Vice President Sara (We’re very loyal to President Duterte. For sure, his programs will be continued by our soon-to-be vice president)," Espino said in primarily endorsing Duterte-Carpio.
Espino also assured the support of Pangasinan--the southernmost province in the Ilocos Region where Marcos Jr. came from --for the presidential bet.
Meanwhile, Guico, Espino’s rival and member of the Nacionalista Party (NP), said he is confident that Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio will win via landslide in the province.
"Regardless of political colors, I think Pangasinan is united for BBM-Sara," he said.
"Pangasinan has almost has two million voters so a lot of our allies have command votes in their respective municipalties and cities. Kaya (That's why) I'm sure we can deliver a lot for Team UniTeam, kina(for) BBM at (and) Sara," he added.