Jampacked UniTeam proclamation rally attended by tens of thousands

IN a show of force, UniTeam Alliance candidates led by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday kicked off their campaign rally with more or less 25,000 supporters in Philippine Arena as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte urged the people to protect her running mate.

“We must protect President Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said during the campaign lunch at the jampacked Philippine Arena, in Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan, amid the disqualification cases before the Commisison on Elections (Comelec) and the reported assasination attempt against Marcos.

In defending her choice of Marcos, Duterte said the presidential candidate of the Partido Federal ng Pilipina (PFP) is an experienced leader who can help unite the Philippines and bring economic recovery amid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Duterte said Marcos is “endowed with wisdom and experience.”

“Dahil naniniwala ako sa kakayahan niya na mamuno bilang pangulo. Napatunayan na ito ng kaniyang malawak na karanasan bilang local chief executive at bilang legislator,” Duterte said after House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep.

Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, proclaimed her as the party’s vice presidential candidate.

“The kind of experience we need not only to sustain the growth and development spurred by the current administration, but also to bring a more prosperous future. We must protect President Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte, Lakas-CMD chairperson,

who thanked her family led by his mother and father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. “President Rodrigo Duterte, thank you for showing us the way.”

The UniTeam senatorial candidates who attended the proclamation rally were former Public Works Sec. Mark Villar, ex-Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Atty. Larry Gadon, ex-Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Former Sen. Gringo Honasan was represented by his wife, Jane Umali while House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda delivered a video message.

Duterte also called upon Filipinos to be like eagles and fly, soar, fight and win.

“Mga kababayan, let us all be eagles. We shall fly, soar, fight and win,” Duterte said during the proclamation rally, signalling the start of the 90-day national campaign.

The Davao City mayor said she wants three things for the Filipinos– jobs and livelihood, quality education and a peaceful life.

“Tatlo lang, pero hindi madali. At hindi po tayo susuko. Magpupursigi po tayo dahil mahal natin ang Pilipinas,” Duterte said.

Duterte also called upon the Filipinos to “stand tall, united, and be resilient” amidst the challenges faced by the country.

“Nakita namin firsthand ang hirap na pinagdadaanan ng ating mga kababayan, despite the overwhelming support of our government and the private sector. Pero wala’y mupildi sa Pilipino. Parang pagmomotorsiklo sa buong Pilipinas, lisod, pero we can do better. Government can do better. We shall stand tall, united, and resilient,” she said.

Duterte was referring to the Typhoon Odette devastation she saw in communities during her Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Duterte also said the past two years have been “a very challenging time for everyone of us.”

“Kung ano man ang problema na meron tayo noon, pinalala pa ito ng pandemic,” she said.

“Pero nandito pa rin tayo, buhay at patuloy na lumalaban sa hamon at umaasa na may magandang bukas pa na darating. We shall move forward, we will live with COVID and we will bounce back like never before,” the Davao City mayor said.