DAET, Camarines Norte – THE UniTeam of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential hopeful Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Monday gained another key ally in Bicol region in the person of Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado.

Tallado hosted on Monday the visit of Duterte and her team at the Camarines Norte Capitol where the lady mayor was warmly welcomed by well-wishers.

Tallado also hosted the launching here of the “Sara para sa Barangay” initiative in partnership with the Lakas-CMD — where Duterte is chairperson — at the Agro Sports Center at the Provincial Capitol.

“Mga kababayan ko, tulungan po natin si Mayor Inday Sara. Tulungan natin kasi po malaki ang maitutulong niyan sa ating probinsya,” Tallado said in his speech at the event attended by 1,500 community and sectoral leaders here.

“At kung sino po ang kasama ni Mayor Inday, ganun din, dapat tulungan din po natin. Dapat sila ay magkasama. Kasi po kung si Mayor Inday lang, ‘yung mga gusto niyang gawin sa bansang Pilipinas hindi rin po mangyayari ‘yan. Kaya dapat ‘yung kanyang ka-tandem (Marcos) dapat tulungan din po ng Camarines Norte,” Tallado added, referring to Marcos.

Tallado finished his speech by saying, “Mabuhay ang BBM-Sara tandem.”

Camarines Norte has around 400,000 registered voters.

During the event, Lakas-CMD was represented by Bicol provincial chairman and Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez and Lakas-CMD Vice President and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe.

The Sara para sa Barangay aims to bring closer to the people the safety net or welfare programs to aid low-income families and protect them from poverty through consultative approach.

The governor also thanked the presidential daughter for visiting his province, saying it made his constituents happy.

For her part, Duterte acknowledged the warm welcome she received from locals.

“Kami po ay masaya na nakasama namin kayo ngayon umaga na ito. Maraming salamat po sa oras at oportunidad na ibinigay niyo sa amin na makilala kayo at makasama kayo sa araw na ito at makapagbigay ng maikling mensahe para sa inyo,” Duterte said.

Aside from Tallado, Duterte also thanked the vice governor, the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the congressmen from Camarines Norte for joining Monday’s activity and showing their support.

The vice presidential aspirant then shared her father’s message to Camarines Norte residents.

“Si Pangulong Duterte po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa suporta sa kanyang administrasyon noong 2016 hanggang ngayon at matatapos na po yung termino niya sa June at nagpapasalamat sa suporta ninyo sa kanyang administration. Hindi daw po niya maiisa-isa lahat, magpapasalamat at maikot lahat. Pero nasa puso niya ang pagpapasalamat sa inyo,” Duterte said.

Duterte assured the people that she would continue to work hard as vice president should she become victorious in the May polls.

“Ang dala-dala ko po ay ang aking turo ng aking mga magulang sa akin–pagtatrabaho, pagseserbisyo doon sa Davao City as mayor,” Duterte said.

She further said: “Dapat pantay-pantay po ang lahat: walang mayaman, walang mahirap; walang babae, walang lalaki; walang matanda, walang bata sa pagseserbisyo. Dapat po ay pantay-pantay ang lahat.”

“At yung aking tibay ng puso na gawin po ang lahat para po tayo ay mayroon mapayapang pamumuhay dito sa aking bansa. Maraming salamat,” the lady mayor added.

Duterte has been in Bicol an opposition bailiwick – since late Saturday afternoon.

Over the weekend, Duterte urged Bicolanos to support the BBM-Sara UniTeam led by Marcos as she made rounds in Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur.

In Naga City, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart, and his sons, incumbent Gov. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte who is running for a congressional seat and gubernatorial aspirant Luigi Villafuerte both of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), declared support for Duterte last Saturday.

“Well kami po ay natutuwa na binisita ni Mayor Inday Sara ang Camarines Sur. Para sa kaalaman ng lahat si Mayor Inday Sara is the adopted daughter of Camarines Sur. Bakit? Sa lahat ng pagsubok namin sa Camarines Sur sa bagyo ay palagi siyang pumupunta at nagbibigay ng tulong,” Cong. Villafuerte said.

“So for us napakadali pong isipin na ang tutulungan namin ay iyung nakatulong so now that she is running for vice president, 100 percent po ng aming pamilya at supporters will support her kasi simple lang ang amin pong philosohy, tutulungan po namin ang nakatulong, tumutulong, at makakatulong,” the elder Villafuerte said.

“We are hoping talaga na maibigay ang all-out support kay Mayor Sara dito not only in words but also in actual votes,” he added.

On Saturday, the Sara para sa Barangay Luzon leg — aimed at propeling development in the grassroots level — was launched at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium in Sorsogon City with senatorial aspirant and Gov. Chiz Escudero in attendance.

On Sunday, the Villafuertes also launched the Sara para sa Barangay in Pili, Camarines Sur.

“Excited po sila (community leaders) na magkakaroon ng ganitong event (Sara para sa Barangay). We are honored to be hosting this event for the benefit of our people,” Cong. Villafuerte said during the event attended by at least 500 community and sectoral leaders at the Capitol Convention Center inside the Camsur Watersports Complex in Pili town.

UniTeam senatorial aspirants Jinggoy Estrada and Harry Roque attended the event where the Villafuertes also backed their bid for Senate.

Upon her arrival at Matnog, Sorsogon late Saturday afternoon from Allen in Northern Samar, Duterte bared her support for non-UniTeam senatorial aspirants who include Escudero, actor Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.