The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur has passed a resolution declaring President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as an adopted son of the province -- the bailiwick of his political rival, former vice president Leni Robredo. The signed resolution was presented to the President during the groundbreaking of Camarines Sur's 4PH (Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing) Project in Naga City on Thursday, March 16. In his remarks, Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte said that Marcos' decision to visit the province is proof of the President's desire for unity. "Our President's choice to visit and give priority to the home province of one of the presidential contenders in last year's balloting is proof of his desire to achieve national healing and unity on his watch," he said. "Ilang dekada na po tayo nag-aaway-away (We've been fighting for decades)-- political discord and political divisiveness that avert our country's growth and development. Tama na po 'yan, magkaisa na po tayo (Let's stop it, let's unite)," he added. Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte, in his remarks during the same event, noted how Marcos always helped the province even when he was not an elected official. "Kahit wala po siya noon sa pwesto, tumulong siya at bumisita, kagaya po ng pagbisita niya matapos ang pagdaan ni Typhoon Niña noong 2017 (Even if he was not in office, he helped and visited like what he did following the onslaught of Typhoon Niña in 2017)," he said. "For all that you have done for the province of Camarines Sur, as a way of expressing our everlasting gratitude for all that you have done, please allow me to present to you the resolution by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur, declaring you, Mr. President, as the adopted son of Camarines Sur," he added.

LOOK: The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur declares President Marcos as an adopted son of the province. (RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/A3izQBT8Z4

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 16, 2023

Villafuerte particularly highlighted how Marcos opposed the proposition to split the province in two when he was still a senator in 2012. "Kung hindi po kay dating Senador Bongbong Marcos, na ngayon ang pangulo ng ating bansa, nahati na po ang ating probinsya (If not for Senator Bongbong Marcos, who is now our president, our province would have been divided)," he said. "Siya lang po ang kaisa-isang senador noon na nakipaglaban, nanindigan, para hindi mahati ang Camarines Sur (He was the only senator who fought against the division of Camarines Sur)," he added. "Our President has always believed in the power of unity. He wanted our province to remain united. He wants our country to be united," he continued. However, Marcos was not the only senator who opposed House Bill 4820, which proposed dividing Camarines Sur by creating a new province called Nueva Camarines. It was passed by the House of Representatives in August 2011 with a vote of 229-1 and was referred to the Senate committee on local government, which Marcos chaired. Aside from Marcos, the other senators who opposed the bill were Joker Arroyo, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Manny Villar.