CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar--Samar 2nd district Rep. Sharee Ann Tan has assured Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Bongbong Marcos of not just support in the May 9 polls, but the protection of his votes here.
Tan made the assurance Friday, April 8, as Marcos led the UniTeam ticket in various sorties amid torrential rains in Samar, which was a "yellow province" back in 2016.
But like Marcos, thousands of his supporters didn't seem to mind the weather just to see a glimpse of their idol from Ilocos Norte.
"Nandito ngayon pwede po itong na sumuporta sa atin at bantayan ang ating boto sa araw ng halalan, nandito po ang ating mga mahal na BBM (Bongbong Marcos) volunteers (Our beloved BBM supporters are here, they are here now, they're ready to support us and watch over our votes on election day)," Tan told the survey-leading Marcos at the provincial capitol grounds here.
According to the lady lawmaker, the BBM volunteers were the ones who sacrificed to make Friday's event successful despite challenges posed by the weather and logistics.
There have been indications from the Marcos camp that the candidate is wary of possible cheating in the upcoming polls.
Tan went on to echo Marcos's oft-repeated remark that unity will help bring progress and development to the Philippines.
"Nandito din po yung mga mayors natin na handang sumuporta sa atin sa iba’t ibang munisipyo and naniniwala po kami kaya po kami nandyan ang suporta sa UniTeam, dahil naniniwala po kami na ang pagkakaisa ang magiging solusyon para sa development at progreso ng ating bansa (We also have here our mayors from the different municipalities who are ready to support us. We believe and support UniTeam because we believe that unity will be the key to achieving development and progress in our country)," she said.
The UniTeam is banking on Samar province to deliver a big margin of victory for Marcos and his running mate, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) chairperson Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte come election day.
Samar Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, for his part, said that there is no stopping the votes from raining down for the Marcos-Duterte tandem and their senatorial candidates.
"We, the officals of Samar, down to the mayors who believe in UniTeam have committed to bring Marcos-Duterte a 100,000-vote lead on election day, and that's what we are working now," Gov. Tan said.
Governor Tan first made this vow for a 100,000-vote margin of victory during a meet and greet with local Samar officials at the Manila Hotel last month. Mayor Duterte attended that event.