THE sealed alliance of Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and vice presidential bet Sara Duterte is a “Unity Team” (UniTeam), according to the spokesperson of Davao City mayor.

Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, Duterte’s spokesperson, welcomed the declaration of Marcos of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party and Duterte of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) led by House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez as president about the “Bongbong-Inday Sara” ticket in next year’s elections.

Duterte who appealed for unity told the public in a video statement Tuesday night that she forged an alliance with Marcos who earlier adopted her as running mate for next year’s polls.

“Magkaisa po tayong lahat na mga sumusuporta sa administrasyong Duterte. Iisa lang naman ang ating mga pangarap — ang pagkakaroon ng mas matatag, mas mapayapa, mas maulad na bansa,” Duterte said.

“Ang aking partido ay nakipag-alyansa at humingi ng suporta para kay Bongbong Marcos at para sa akin matapos kong tanggapin ang inyong hamon at panawagan,” Duterte said, lamenting that her similar offer was rejected by the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party.

“Tinanggihan ito ng PDP at naiintindihan natin ito. Pero gusto ko lamang na linawin — walang pangalan na sinisira o dinudungisan, walang sinasagasaan, walang inaagrabyado, inaaway, pinapaiyak o inaapi,” Duterte said.

She rallied support for her father, President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, underscoring the need to continue the administration’s programs and projects.

“Sa muli, nananawagan ako ng pagkakaisa. Ang layunin natin ay hindi lamang ituloy ang mga magagandang nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte kundi ang mas pagbutihin at mas palawigin pa ang mga ito,” the young Duterte said.

“The people will make me strong. And it is through our solidarity and unity that we will be able to build a stronger nation,” she added.

Also on Tuesday night, Marcos confirmed that he teamed up with Mayor Duterte.

“Naitawid na namin ni Mayor Inday Sara Duterte ang proseso para sa tambalang inaasam-asam ng aming mga taga-suporta – ang BBM-SARA sa 2022. At napagkasunduan namin at ng aming mga partido ang pagsusulong ng mapagkaisang liderato sakaling kami ay palarin sa darating na halalan sa Mayo 9, 2022,” Marcos said.

“Sa layunin naming dalawa na ipagpatuloy at palawigin pa ang mga magagandang nagawa ng pamahalaang Duterte ay sabay kami ngayong nananawagan na kapit-bisig lang po tayo sa pagtiwala at pagsuporta sa liderato ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” Marcos stressed.

“Kaisa ako ni Inday Sara sa kanyang sinabi na iisa lang naman ang ating mga pangarap… ang pagkakaroon ng mas matatag, mas mapayapa, mas maunlad na bansa,” he said.

In a statement, the PFP party said it takes pride in the formalization of the BBM-SARA ticket for the 2022 national elections.

“We believe that through this formidable tandem, our nation can recover, heal, and be great once again. Through their unifying partnership, with the help of the PFP-Lakas CMD coalition and our
allies, we can begin the noble task of nation building. With the BBM-Sara Duterte ticket, truly sama-sama tayong babangon muli!,” the PFP said.