Lakas-CMD vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte greets supporters along Maharlika highway in Naga City, Camarines Sur during the 6th day of the Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride. Photo by VER NOVENO
Sara delivers powerful unity message
In opposition territory
SORSOGON City – LAKAS-CMD vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte barnstormed the heart of Bicol region on Saturday and Sunday, delivering a powerful message of unity with Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential hopeful Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Duterte also shared the UniTeam’s program of government, including parity in the development of every barangay.
“Mahalin po natin ang Pilipinas. Mahal ko kayong taga-Bicol. Magkaisa po tayong lahat,” Duterte said in one of her stopovers along the highway here leading to Naga City.
Duterte, Lakas-CMD chairperson, visited Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur where she encouraged Bicolanos to support her bid and the whole UniTeam bannered by Marcos.
Although known as an opposition bailiwick, Duterte was warmly welcomed by top political leaders and swarms of supporters.
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.
“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.
In Legazpi City, Duterte led the inauguration Sunday of the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte Headquarters and graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Youth For Inday Headquarters.
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.
