BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – UNITEAM standard-bearer former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) and her vice presidential tandem, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairperson Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte have notched the support of the Petilla clan, one of the politically-influential families of Leyte.

The support of the Petilla family, led by Gov. Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” Petilla, was officially pronounced during a rally at the grounds of the Baybay City Convention Center here that was attended by Marcos and UniTeam senatorial candidates Migz Zubiri, Win Gatchalian, Larry Gadon, Herbert Bautista, and Robin Padilla which drew a massive crowd of jubilant supporters despite heavy rains.

UniTeam senatorial candidate Mark Villar was represented by his wife, former Rep. Emmeline Aglipay.

Marcos, who was accompanied by House Majority Leader and Lakas-CMD President Martin G. Romualdez, thanked the local officials led by Petillas for supporting the UniTeam candidates.

Governor Petilla was joined by his brother, Carlos Jericho Petilla, who is running under the PDP-Laban to succeed him, and other local officials of the province in endorsing the BBM-Sara candidacies.

The jampacked rally was preceded by the UniTeam tandem’s meeting with the Petillas and other local officials and leaders of Leyte, also at the Baybay City Convention Center.

Following the campaign rally, the Petilla clan hosted a lunch for Marcos and Duterte as well as the senatorial candidates running under the UniTeam.

Leyte’s support for the UniTeam tandem followed the official endorsement of Governor Damian Mercado, Vice Governor Christopherson Yap, and other local officials of the neighboring province of Southern Leyte of the presidential and vice-presidential candidacies of Marcos and Duterte.

The leaders of the two provinces said they consider Marcos Jr. and Mayor Sara as Leyteños.

Gov. Petilla welcomed the UniTeam candidates to his province.

“It is my honor to welcome ang ating mga bisita ngayon headed by no less than ang ating President Bongbong Marcos. Sir, welcome,” he said in front of a big crowd that braved the rain and bad weather to attend a UniTeam rally at the Baybay City Convention Center grounds.

“It is a big honor na tanggapin dito sa province of Leyte, isang taga-Leyte, walang iba kundi taga-Leyte din ito. Sino pa ang magtataguyod ng pag-unlad ng ating probinsya, ng ating siyudad, walang iba kung hindi isang taga-Leyte din. Suportahan natin at siyempre huwag din nating kalimutan ang ating vice president, dugong Leyte din ‘yun. Taga dito din ‘yan sa Leyte, si Inday Sara Duterte,” he said.

Marcos’ mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, is from Leyte; while Mayor Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was born in Maasin, Southern Leyte.

For his part, the candidate for governor Jericho Petilla said Leyteños showed up for the UniTeam rally despite the rain.

“Kahit umuulan, nandito pa rin kayo, hindi lang taga-Baybay, ‘yung iba Calubian, third district, second district, first district,” he said.

He said they should not only support the BBM-Sara tandem but also convince others to do likewise and vote for UniTeam on May, even if it rains again.

“So lahat naman kayo BBM. Hindi ako kuntento diyan. Kailangan ‘pag hindi pa kumbinsido mga neighbors ninyo, trabaho niyo ngayon mangkumbinsi. At higit sa lahat, ang importante boboto rin kayo. Kung umuulan sa eleksyon, boboto pa rin kayo,” he told his constituents.

Baybay City Mayor Carlos “Boying” Cari also welcomed the UniTeam candidates.

“Kami po nagkakaisa sa layunin ninyo na mapayapang bansa, sa layunin ninyo na maayos na lipunan at maunlad na bayan, Ginoong Presidente. Konting paghihintay na lang, itinakda na kayo ang mamuno sa ating bansa. Kaming mga taga Baybay, kasama niyo po [sa] lahat ng oras,” he said.

Cari alternately shouted, “Bongbong!”, “Inday Sara!” The crowd roared: “Marcos!”, “Duterte!”