MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — FORMER Mayor Christian Natividad on Saturday thanked vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for the help extended in times of crisis and vowed his all-out support for the latter’s political bid.

“Noong 2012, nasunog ang palengke ng Malolos. Nagkaroon ng malaking pagbaha makaraan ang isang linggo. Ang unang-unang tumulong at nagpadala ng ayuda sa Malolos ay ang Mayora ng Davao,” Natividad said during a meet-and-greet with sectoral leaders here.

Natividad recalled that in the aftermath of floods due to typhoons, Davao City never failed to send relief assistance.

“Isang beses, dalawa o pangatlo, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, tuwing magkakabaha at bagyo sa Malolos, nanggagaling ang bigas sa napakalayo, galing pa sa Davao. Bakit hindi natin mamahalin ang taong ito?,” he added.

Natividad, who is seeking re-election for mayor, said people have been asking him why he is supporting the BBM-Sara presidential and vice presidential tandem, and his reply would always be “why not?”.

“Marami ang nagtatanong sa akin, ‘bakit ka kay BBM? Bakit ka nakay Sara?’ At muli kong itinanong sa kanila, ‘Bakit naman iba ang iboboto ko? Bakit iba ang susuportahan ko?’,” Natividad said.

He added: “Pinagbibigyan talaga tayo ng panahon. Unti unti nating masasaksihan ang pagsasama ng nga Pilipino — sama sama tayong babangon muli kasama ng ating presidenteng si Bongbong Marcos at bise-presidenteng Sara Duterte.”

In 2020, Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Natividad as chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB) where he led the campaign against optical media piracy.

He encouraged Bulakenyos to unite with the UniTeam ticket for the continuity of the plans and reforms of President Duterte.

Mayor Sara thanked Natividad for the support and hoped for unity and peace among Bulakenyos.

“Maraming salamat at mahal na mahal ko kayo. Mabuhay ang Bulacan! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas!,” she said.

Duterte also met with the people of towns Plaridel under Mayor Jocell Vistan, Lambakin, Marilao under Mayor Ricky Silvestre, and San Jose del Monte led by Mayor Art Robles.

A UniTeam grand rally will be held in Bustillos, Manila on Saturday afternoon.