A more formidable UniTeam.
This is what Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Secretary General Anthony del Rosario envisions following the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cusi wing's recent endorsement of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.
“Matagal na naming hinihintay ang suporta ng PDP-Laban Cusi wing (Long have we waited for the support of PDP-Laban Cusi wing. We are very happy that the party of the president is supporting the BBM (Bongbong)/Sara tandem,” Del Rosario said in an interview with DZAR program Usaping Bayan.
“The endorsement will make the tandem more formidable in the coming national elections,” Del Rosario added.
The UniTeam is composed of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Marcos and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential bet, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
PDP-Laban Cusi wing had earlier endorsed the vice presidential bid of Mayor Duterte, who is the daughter of President Duterte. The elder Duterte chairs PDP-Laban, making it the administration party.
Del Rosario, a former Davao del Norte governor, said members of PDP-Laban, including incumbent mayors, vice mayors and congressmen, who have not decided which candidates to support, are now given clear direction.
“With the announcement, we expect incumbent members of PDP-Laban Cusi wing to toe the line and support the BBM-Sara tandem,” reckoned the HNP official.
Recent survey results by various Pulse Asia, Social Weather Station (SWS), Laylo, and OCTA surveys show Marcos and Mayor Duterte consistently leading in the presidential and vice presidential race, respectively.
Del Rosario said with the PDP-Laban endorsement, they expect to gain more voters for the duo nationwide, including in Mindanao where the tandem has a strong poltical base.
The HNP is Mayor Duterte's regional party. She joined Lakas-CMD last year and was installed as its chairperson.