NIGHT OWL
Anna Mae Lamentillo
The Nacionalista Party (NP) has formally declared its support for the candidacies of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. (BBM) for president and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte for vice president in the May 2022 elections.
In a statement signed by NP President Manny Villar, the party backed the tandem of BBM and Mayor Sara based on their qualifications and for harping on the importance of unity in nation building.
“We believe that Bongbong and Inday Sara’s message of unity is crucial in binding our country together and inspiring our people as we rebuild not only from the pandemic but also from the political chasm that divides us. They both have the platforms of government, qualifications and track record to lead our country toward unity and prosperity,” said former Senate President Villar.
BBM launched his presidential bid anchored on the message of unity, stressing that even if Filipinos have different views and beliefs, he is certain that we can all agree that we love the Philippines. From there, he said, we can all work together for the benefit of the nation.
He has also been emphasizing the need for unity as a first step to overcome the crisis brought about by the pandemic.
FORMER DPWH Secretary Mark Villar (center), a Nacionalista member, is included in the UniTeam slate of Apo Bongbong Marcos (left) and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sara said that it is easier to be united if we all look at and treat each other equally.
Throughout the campaign, she has been encouraging their supporters to promote positive campaigning.
She said that those who campaign for the Marcos-Duterte tandem should just throw a “UniTeam burger” at those who seek to cancel them. This is similar to the famous Filipino saying: “Kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay,” which encourages to reciprocate hate with love.
The Nacionalista Party’s endorsement of the BBM-Sara tandem adds strength to the UniTeam campaign, which has already received support from different political parties, personalities, and organizations from various sectors.
The overwhelming support is also evidenced by the warm welcome of Filipinos in every campaign destination of the UniTeam. Locals would go out of their homes to meet BBM and Mayor Sara in the motorcades and hundreds of thousands would attend the campaign rallies.
This is a clear indication that the UniTeam’s call for unity, as well as the promise to sustain the growth and development spurred by the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, is well received by many Filipinos.
From the looks of it, Nacionalista Party’s endorsement will certainly not be the last that the BBM-Sara tandem will receive.