TAGAYTAY, Cavite--The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan's (PDP-Laban) endorsement of Bongbong Marcos "will consolidate the forces of unity," the UniTeam presidential candidate told reporters Tuesday afternoon, March 22 at the Escala hotel here.
Marcos, in a rare interview with journalists on the campaign trail, expressed profuse thanks to the ruling party for finally endorsing his Palace bid.
"Of course we're very, very grateful and are happy to receive this much-awaited and much hoped for news. At malaking pasasalamat namin sa lahat ng ating kaibigan na kasapi sa PDP-Laban sa kanilang ipinahayag na tiwala sa aming dalawa ni Inday Sara at sa buong UniTeam (Our huge thanks to our member-friends of PDP-Laban for trusting me and Inday Sara and the entire UniTeam)," he said.
"Itong bagong development na ito ay (This new development), this will consolidate the forces of unity so that we can continue to work against those who would want to divide Filipinos against each other," Marcos said.
Earlier Tuesday, the Cusi wing of the ruling PDP-Laban announced its endorsement of Marcos's presidential candidacy.
"This is what we have been campaigning for and that is our message, and that is our dream, that we bring the country together. This is an important step in that regard," added the former senator.
"Maraming maraming salamat sa PDP, at sa lahat ng kanyang myembro (Thank you very much to PDP and all its members) and I look forward to working with them," added Marcos, the standard-bearer of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
"Magkakaibigan naman talaga kaming lahat at parang na-formalize lang aming (We're friends in the first place and this was just a formalization of)...personal relationship with our friends in the PDP-Laban," he further said.
Marcos's running mate is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, whose father, President Duterte, chairs PDP-Laban.