Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wooed residents of Abra and Kalinga provinces on Wednesday, March 9 but his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, was conspicuously absent.
During his campaign speech in Abra's capital, Bangued, Marcos Jr. explained the reason why Duterte wasn't there to personally meet and greet their supporters.
"Hihingi lang po ako ng paumanhin na hindi po nakarating ang ating susunod na bise-presidente (I would like to apologize for the absence of our next vice president)," Marcos Jr. said.
"Dahil 'yung kaniyang... hindi siya pinalipad at umuulan doon sa Davao kaya't hindi siya nakaalis. Ngunit, patuloy pa rin ang kanyang padala ng pagmamahal sa inyo, ng kanyang mensahe na mahalin ang bansang Pilipinas (It's because she wasn't allowed to fly due to rains in Davao. But, she continues to send over here her message of love to you, and her message to love the country)," he added.
A day prior, Marcos Jr. and Duterte were both present during their campaign rallies in three municipalities in vote-rich Bulacan, where they gathered a big crowd.
On Monday, flood hit parts of Davao City due to heavy rainfall, prompting thousands of people to flee their homes.