The camp of Bongbong Marcos has thanked ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for its endorsement of the Ilocano presidential candidate less than two months to go before the May 9, 2022 polls.
“We appreciate deeply the PDP-Laban’s kind endorsement of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. The trust it placed in him inspires us beyond measure, for it signals that our message of national unity is gaining ground," lawyer Vic Rodriguez said in a statement Tuesday, March 22.
"We are glad the PDP-Laban has joined the bandwagon of support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam of major political parties in the country. It is truly reassuring, but at the same time challenging us to be even more prepared and vigilant in light of growing rumors of possible poll fraud in the coming elections," said Rodriguez, who serves as Marcos's spokesperson.
Marcos's running mate, the survey-leading Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is the eldest daughter of President Duterte.
Earlier Tuesday, it was reported that PDP-Laban's Cusi wing or the one led by Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso manifested this endoment via the group's Resolution no.26, Series of 2022. Under this wing, the elder Duterte sits as the party chairman.
"It’s barely two months before the D-Day; and all the national surveys indicate a runaway advantage for Marcos Jr., but we cannot be complacent as the forces that try to put him down ever since, has not cease, and apparently has even intensified their gutter ways," Rodriguez said.
"Again, we thank PDP-Laban for joining the crescendoing chorus of national unification as we call on our supporters not to blink, not yet, for victory may only be claimed when votes have already been cast and every ballot counted on election day," the Marcos camp added.
Marcos is the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer. Mayor Duterte, on the other hand, chairs the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
Mayor Duterte, in a chance interview during sorties in Dasmariñas, Cavite, said the UniTeam was "appreciative" of the PDP-Laban faction's endorsement of Marcos's Palace bid.
"Appreciative ang UniTeam sa endorsement ng PDP-Laban kay Apo BBM (The UniTeam is appreciative of PDP-Laban's endorsement of Apo BBM)," Mayor Duterte said.
On Monday, Marcos stressed anew that he belonged to the side of the administration.