Anna Mae Lamentillo
NIGHT OWL
Finally, the Philippines might just have a majority president.
In the latest Pulse Asia survey results released on March 14, the UniTeam of Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte remain to be this elections’ frontrunners.
In the survey, which was conducted from Feb. 18-23, 2022, BBM sustained his lead over other presidentiables with 60 percent of respondents nationwide choosing him as the country’s next chief executive. He also led all geographic areas (53 to 68 percent) and socio-economic groupings (58 to 61 percent).
For the second highest national post, Mayor Sara was chosen by 53 percent of respondents to be the next vice president.
The survey results came a day after the UniTeam’s highly successful caravan and grand rally in Las Piñas City on March 13. The crowd-drawing event was enough to validate the pre-election statistics.
We all felt the warm welcome of the people who cheered and chanted “BBM” and “Bongbong-Sara.” I have never seen anything like it.
The crowds were excited to see and express their unity. People were not content in seeing BBM, they really wanted to go near his vehicle and shake hands with him. What was supposedly a one-hour motorcade lasted for four and a half hours.
From Daang-Hari Road in Muntinlupa City until the end of the caravan in Las Piñas, supporters of BBM-Sara UniTeam filled the entire 12.5-kilometer road.
BBM-SARA MOTORCADE IN LAS PINAS -- Presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (left) and Vice Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's successful grand rally in Las Pinas City.
Hundreds of thousands of Las Piñeros and supporters from nearby cities of Muntinlupa and Parañaque lined up the streets of Daang Hari, Alabang-Zapote Road, J. Aguilar Avenue, Naga Road, F. Santos Avenue, and C-5 road to warmly welcome BBM, and Senator Mark Villar.
As the caravan approached Naga Road, the movement of the vehicles slowed even more owing to the density of people blocking and greeting BBM.
The thickness of the crowds did not decrease from beginning to the end of the caravan at The Tent in Las Piñas, where the UniTeam grand rally was held.
The motorcade which lasted for four and half hours could have been attended by more than 500,000, with a conservative estimate of 40 people for every meter — or about four layers from each side.
Former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar
Former Secretary Mark Villar expressed his gratitude to his fellow Las Piñeros, who left their homes just to see BBM and warmly welcome Mayor Sara.
BBM and Mayor Sara were truly grateful to the people of Las Piñas for receiving them warmly. BBM stressed that he really felt the support and love of the people when they were on the motorcade.
According to PCapt Jose R Gonzales of the Las Pinas Traffic and Parking Management Office, hundreds of thousands Las Pineros and supporters from nearby cities of Paranaque and Muntinlupa came out of their respective homes and showed their support through participating in the caravan and attended the grand rally at the Tent.
With the warm reception of the people everywhere the UniTeam goes, validated by pre-election surveys, we might have our next majority president in the person of Bongbong Marcos.