BACOLOD CITY - Twenty-eight out of 31 local chief executives in Negros Occidental expressed their support to the bid of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who’s running for vice president in the May 2022 elections.
This, after Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer presented the 28 mayors to the members of the UniTeam headed by Marcos in a meeting held in a hotel here on Wednesday.
Ferrer said that the mayors who were present in the meeting voluntarily expressed their support to the BBM-Sara tandem.
Only the local chief executives of Cadiz, Sipalay, and Sagay were not present in the meeting here.
Marcos, in his message, said that they have already seen many political forces that are coming together with a real understanding that unity is the first step to progress.
Marcos said the expression of support of the local mayors in the province is a clear beginning towards a unified leadership.
“I am overwhelmed by your support,” he added.
Marcos said he was also overwhelmed by the presence, trust, and support of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was also here that day.
For her part, Mayor Duterte-Carpio, in a message, thanked everyone for giving the UniTeam their time during their visit here.
She stressed that the UniTeam’s goal is to come together towards one direction - a continued progress.
After the meeting, members of the UniTeam held a caravan from Silay City towards the Reclamation area here, where thousands of their supporters joined the grand rally.
The UniTeam’s senatorial slate — Gringo Honasan, Gibo Teodoro, Herbert Bautista, Sherwin Gatchalian, Mark Villar, Larry Gadon, Jinggoy Estrada, and Dante Marcoleta, were all present in the rally. Guest candidate Robin Padilla also attended the event.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) deployed at least 120 policemen to secure the venue, as well as the major thoroughfares during the caravan.