MEXICO, Pampanga--What "commitment" has the UniTeam tandem of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte gained from the influential Pinedas here?
Duterte, current Davao City mayor and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) chairperson, answered this question in a chance interview with reporters Monday, April 4 during a UniTeam rally.
Taking part in the rally were Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is from nearby Lubao.
"Wala po siyang categorical na statement na sinasabi, governor and vice governor, na ineendorse nila ang UniTeam, Bongbong Marcos at Sara Duterte (The governor and vice governor haven't said anything categorical that they're endorsing the UniTeam of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte)," Duterte said.
"Pero tinutulungan po tayo ni Vice Governor Lilia Pineda sa pangangampanya sa probinsiya ng Pampanga (But Vice Governor Lilia Pineda is helping us campaign in the province of Pampanga)," she noted.
Marcos, who was absent during Monday's activity, is running for president in the May 9 polls. Duterte is vying for the vice presidency.
In the Philippines, it's not unusual for politicians to host activities for election aspirants and not give an explicit endorsement afterward.
If anything, Arroyo endorsed the UniTeam during her speech at the event and even asked her Kapampangans to ensure a landslide victory for Duterte.
This is not the first UniTeam activity in Pampanga to be overseen by the Pinedas and Arroyo.