GUIMBAL, Iloilo – UniTeam presidential standard-bearer former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) possesses the “most drive” to lead the country to progress amid the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

That’s according to Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party (NP), which many consider an opposition bailiwick.

The Garins, who supported Liberal Party (LP) candidates before, were expected to back the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo but have decided to support Marcos and his vice-presidential running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Explaining their decision, Garin told reporters on Tuesday: “Basically, we believe that he is the only presidential candidate who has the most drive or desire to disprove his detractors. Kasi sa ngayon sa panahon ng pandemiya, marami ang kwalipikadong maging presidente pero napakahirap maghanap ng presidente na bawat minuto, bawat segundo, bawat araw walang ibang iisipin kundi maramdaman ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ang serbisyong kaya niyang ibigay. That drive, that adrenaline will be very beneficial to our people.”

Garin said Marcos Jr., if he wins the presidency, would aim to make a name for himself and leave a legacy he could be proud.

“Para kasing hindi mawawala ‘yung patuloy na pangliligaw ni Bongbong Marcos para maipagmalaki niya, that his children and every Filipino family eh masabi na magandang serbisyo niya. He will not only be bringing the name of the Filipino people, but he will also be bringing the name of our country, the Philippines,” Garin said.

“So ‘yun po ang talagang drive na nakikita namin, that we need in the midst of this pandemic, a candidate who does not think of anything else. At 64 years old, God willing when he becomes president, when he retires at 71 to 72 years old, iiwanan niya ang pangalan na kung saan ipinakita niya na maraming hindi katotohanan at magiging tatak ang serbisyong Bongbong Marcos,” Garin stressed.

Garin pointed out that they also believe in the BBM-Sara tandem’s commitment to politics of “unity” instead of division.

“We always campaign against candidates who personally attack other candidates. We always advocate good kind of politics kasi hindi po maganda ‘yung asal na itinuturo na parang siraan,” she said.

Garin said she has known Marcos for many years and considered him as a province mate in Leyte before she moved to Iloilo.

Marcos’ mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, is from Leyte.

Garin thanked the BBM-Sara tandem for holding their Visayas miting de avance “here in our small town of Guimbal.”

“This rally is not just all about politics, it goes beyond politics. It’s bigger, mas malaki kaysa sa pulitika, kasi natutuwa po kami at kami ay galak na galak na makakarating ‘yung ating mga national officials dito sa maliit na bayan ng Guimbal. It’s a semblance where the national government and our frontrunner president is reaching out to the masses in the rural areas,” Garin said.

She lamented that supporters of another presidential candidate tried to disrupt the UniTeam miting de avance by installing loud sound systems and holding a rally near the event venue.

The Iloilo lawmaker said that their activities represent divisive politics, which people should abhor and avoid.

Garin predicted that Marcos and Duterte would have an even fight with their rivals and might even win in Iloilo, which has a voting population of more than 1.6 million.

“What amazes us is the fact na ‘yung una ay talagang napakalakas po ng kalaban ni Bongbong Marcos dito sa Iloilo. Pero nung siya ay kumampanya na, kinausap yung ating mga opisyal, he reached out to people in the grassroots at nagkaroon nga ng mga pag-uusap, mga katanungan, that actually started the bandwagon support for Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte,” she said.

She said people are tired of divisive politics and would support those promising to discard political divisiveness for the nation’s unity.

“People are tired of being divided. Pagod na pagod na rin ang mga tao na hanggang sa baba ay pilit na pinag-aaway at pinaghihiwalay. Ang maganda nga e dapat kampanya lang, presinta lang ng ating kandidato at plataporma, hindi po dapat nag-aaway-away. But those factors are actually contributing to the increase in the support behind Bongbong Marcos, kasi ‘yung ganyang mga gimmick po ay hindi tanggap po ng sambayanang Pilipino,” she said.

Garin’s husband, former Rep. Richard Garin, who is now running for mayor in the municipality of Miagao, shared her prediction that their province would support the BBM-Sara tandem.

“With this grand rally being held here, kasi sa tingin ko malaking bagay ang rally na maka-communicate ka sa tao. In line also sa campaign namin, kami dito sa local, we’re also campaigning for a better kind of politics,” he said.

He said they would vote for the UniTeam tandem “because it’s a vote for a more progressive Iloilo and a more progressive, developed and beautiful Philippines.”