Romualdez thanks UniTeam, VP bet’s supporters for enormously successful Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride

COTABATO City – THE monthlong Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) has successfully solidified support from local officials from different political parties and the grassroots from across the country for UniTeam vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and her running mate, presidential hopeful former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

Duterte launched her brainchild 28-day south-north journey in Davao City on February 1.

It is culminating in Mindanao where it started.

Past seven Monday morning, Duterte began her journey to Davao City near the Cotabato State University here.

Duterte was scheduled to hold a press conference and thanksgiving dinner Monday at the Triple Crown Ranch in Diversion Road, Davao City.

House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, who is president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), joined UniTeam candidates during the MNPR.

“This has been an enormously successful journey, for which I thank all my incumbent and former colleagues in the House, the local officials, our supporters, and the people from all walks of life who welcomed and received us. We extend to you our heartfelt gratitude,” Romualdez, one of the two campaign managers of Duterte, said.

Duterte is running for vice president under CMD, while Marcos is under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

Judging from the wide support and warm reception they received in every province, town and community they visited, Romualdez said has no doubt that the BBM-Sara tandem “is headed for a landslide win on May 9.”

As the cross-country caravan rolled in Davao City at the start of this month, Romualdez wished for Duterte and the entire group a safe journey, good health, a successful campaign, and victory on election day.

Addressing his party’s vice presidential candidate, the House leader said, “You will be an excellent vice president and a tremendous asset to the country. You have many qualities that will enhance the role of vice president. You are of great help to UniTeam presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. should both of you win the country’s two top positions.”

In every stop they made in the course of their journey, the UniTeam tandem laid out their plans for the country if they get elected on May 9, and spread their message of hope, patriotism and unity.

Among other commitments, Duterte promised to pursue President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s projects and programs, including the campaign against illegal drugs and crime, the push for massive Build, Build, Build infrastructure development, and responsive and timely coronavirus disease-19 COVID-19 pandemic measures to create jobs and help recover the country’s shattered economy.

They also inaugurated several BBM-Sara local headquarters set up by volunteers and supporters, and distributed Philippine flags to drive home their message.

The headquarters include UniTeam, LAKAS-CMD Headquarters, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Regional Headquarters, UniTeam BBM-Sara Volunteer Action Center in Zamboanga del Norte, Marcos Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA), Kay Inday Sara Lilipad ang Pilipinas (KISLAP), Ituloy ang Pagbabago Movement (IPM), Inday Sara Duterte Ako (ISDA), BBM-Sara Regional Headquarters in Tacloban City, SARA for VP Alaminos Headquarters, BASTA SARA GROUP Headquarters, SUPERGAPO for VP SARA Headquarters Olongapo City, SARA-TAYO Pagadian Headquarters, SARA RUN Negros Movemment, BBM-SARA Unified VIsayas, Millenials for MARCOS and SARA Headquarters, Recruiter of SARA for Vice President (RSVP) and others.

Duterte, chairperson of Lakas Christian-Muslim-Democrats (CMD), thanked legions of governors, local leaders and ordinary people for their support.

Before leaving Davao City, the UniTeam tandem received the endorsement of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who predicted a “landslide” victory for them.

Duterte said she hoped the journey “will highlight ang ating panawagan para sa ating lahat na sama-sama tayong babangon muli, mahalin natin ang Pilipinas.”

Stops in Mindanao included Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, and Agusal del Norte.

Duterte met with Davao Region officials, including Davao de Oro Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Vice-Governor Maricar Zamora and Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora.

They led the launching of consultative Sara para sa Barangay Movement to help bring her governance thrusts to the grassroots level and aligned with President Duterte’s malasakit program.

The UniTeam group was received in Surigao del Sur by Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., who is Lakas-CMD secretary general, and his wife, Cantilan Mayor Carla Pichay, who is running for governor.

Pichay promised to deliver the votes of his province to the UniTeam tandem.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel and Rep. Johnny Pimentel also met Duterte.

In Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mayor Sara visited the Cabadbaran South Elementary School to meet her relatives from the Roa family and her supporters.

She gave away Philippine flags to her supporters in Sibagat and Cabadbaran City.

Nacionalista Party (NP) Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and his brother, gubernatorial and former Surigao del Norte Gov. Dean Barbers declared support for Duterte and Marcos during the inauguration of UniTeam headquarters in the province.

On to Southern Leyte in Visayas, where Gov. Damian Mercado and 18 town mayors vowed landslide win for the UniTeam candidates.

Southern Leyte Vice Gov. Christoperson “Coco” Yap said at least 18 mayors from Southern Leyte have declared full support for Mayor Duterte and Marcos in May 9 elections.

Mercado and Yap are members of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte chairs.

NP Maasin City Mayor Nacional “Nikko” Mercado said Southern Leyte will deliver a “landslide win” for the UniTeam tandem.

In Tacloban City, Mayor Sara paid tribute and offered prayers to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

She vowed to work to improve the country’s disaster response program.

She was joined by Romualdez, who represents the province’s first district, Mayor Alfred Romualdez, vice mayoralty aspirant Raymund Romualdez, former Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and other local leaders.

The Romualdezes assured the BBM-Sara tandem of huge victory in Region VIII.

Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Tingog party-list nominee Jude Acidre, and UniTeam senatorial candidates Jinggoy Estrada and Herbert Bautista later joined them in another event – the launching of the Sara para sa Barangay in Region VIII.

Romualdez said the Sara para sa Barangay Initiative seeks to empower the country’s 42,046 barangays through its various programs on education, health, job creation, and livelihood.

“On her health program amid the pandemic, Mayor Duterte seeks to make sure that health stations are present and their services are available in every barangay,” the House leader said.

In Sorsogon, where the UniTeam group proceeded from Eastern Visayas, they had another launching of the Sara Para Sa Barangay Initiative with Gov. Francis Escudero, who is running for senator, Dalipe, Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez, Board Member Jose Arturo Enano, and at least 500 local, community and sectoral officials in attendance at the provincial gymnasium.

In Albay, PDP-Laban 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda endorsed the Davao City mayor’s vice presidential candidacy.

Aside from Sorsogon and Albay, Duterte visited Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.

“Mahalin po natin ang Pilipinas. Mahal ko kayong taga-Bicol. Magkaisa po tayong lahat,” Duterte Sara told Bicolanos in the course of the journey.

In Naga City, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, a 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 PDP-Laban, declared support for Duterte during the launching of Sara para sa Barangay in the province.

Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado also declared his support for the BBM-Sara combination during another Sara Para sa Barangay activity.

At the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where the UniTeam tandem was officially proclaimed, Duterte assured Filipinos that the country would rebound economically from the COVID-19 pandemic under a BBM-Sara leadership.

Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica and Mayor Linabelle Ruth Villarica of Meycauayan City endorsed Duterte.

From Central Luzon, the Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas voyage took the UniTeam candidates to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan and Isabela in Cagayan Valley, and to Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

Governors, town mayors and other officials in these provinces, collectively referred as the Solid North, committed their support to the BBM-Sara tandem.

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Cuaresma, who head the provincial chapter of Lakas-CMD, said she and local officials belonging to the party would campaign for Marcos and Duterte.

PDP-Laban Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano, his brother first district Rep. Tonypet Albano who is the regional chairman of Lakas-CMD and PDP-Laban Vice Gov. Bodjie Dy welcomed and declared support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam group.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba and the Enriles joined Cagayan Valley officials in enduring the UniTeam tandem.

Mamba said the Nacionalista Party (NP), to which he belongs and which is led by the Villars, has decided to back the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte.

Mamba’s pronouncement was followed by expressions of overwhelming support from Ilocos Region officials, including Governors Mathew Joseph Marcos Manotoc of Ilocos Norte; Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur; Mayor Chavit Singson of Narvacan town, who heads the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; and Gov. Pacoy Ortega of La Union, first district Rep. Pablo Ortega, Board Member Paolo Ortega, and San Juan Vice Mayor Mannix Ortega, who all belong to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

In vote-rich Pangasinan, reelectionist PDP-Laban Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino III and his opponent, Rep. Ramon “Mon-Mon” V. Guico III of NP endorsed the BBM-Sara tandem.

In Alaminos City, Lakas-CMD stalwarts Rep. Christopher V.P. De Venecia and former Rep. Rachael Arenas, who is running again for Congress, also assured BBM-Sara of victory in the province.

Former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco of NPC, former Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, NP, and other Pangasinan local leaders joined Duterte in inaugurating a local headquarters in Alaminos City.

The show of wide support of Northern Luzon leaders for his candidates prompted Romualdez to say, “The Solid North is indeed solid for BBM and Mayor Sara.”

Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., Vice Gov. Jay Konghun and other officials of the province, and Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, along with most officials in Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Iloilo, later joined Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao politicians in endorsing the BBM-Sara tandem.

In Oriental Mindoro, Duterte thanked PDP-Laban Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor and the province’s Rep. Paulino Leachon and Alfonso Umali Jr. for supporting her candidacy.

In a separate event, Duterte also met with Leachon and Umali, who were with 13 mayors of the province, all 10 board members and ex-officio members, councilors, and some Baranggay leaders.

Duterte met with Western Visayas officials in Iloilo City, including Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Mayor Receliste Lachica Escolin of Roxas, Capiz; Mayor Elvira Alarcon of Batad, Iloilo, Mayor Emerson Lachica of Kalibo, Aklan; Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon of Iloilo; Mayor John Taroza of Zaraga, Iloilo; and Mayor Junjun Jaen of Leganes, also of Iloilo.

Former Iloilo 4th district Rep. Ferjenel Biron who is running for Congress and provincial chairman of NP, Iloilo Reps. Braeden John Biron (NP), Janette Garin (NP) and Rep. Raul Tupas, and Passi City, Iloilo Vice Mayor Jesry Palmares, Lakas-CMD provincial chairman, joined the grand rally to support the BBM-Sara UniTeam tandem.

Misamis Occidental Gov. Philip Tan vowed to support Duterte’s vice presidential bid 100 percent.

Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy and former Rep. Seth Jalosjos, who is running for mayor of Dapitan City, also declared support for Duterte.

In Pagadian City, Duterte secured the support of the rest of the peninsula’s leaders.

Duterte first met with Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, who was with Sibugay First District Rep. Wilter “Sharky” Palma II and their local party Arangkada Pusong Asenso provincial and local slates.

Vice gubernatorial aspirant Priscilla “Ilang-Ilang” Co said that they “commit to support” Duterte’s vice presidential bid.

Duterte met with Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu, his wife First District Rep. Divina Grace Yu and the local officials of the province.

In the course of barnstorming the Solid North, the UniTeam candidates received a huge morale booster in the form of an endorsement from El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, for which Duterte expressed her sincere gratitude.

“Kagalang-galang na Brother Mike Velarde, ang inyo pong dasal at basbas–kasama ng lahat ng kasapi ng El Shaddai–ay karagdagang sandata sa amin ni Apo BBM sa pagharap namin sa hamon na pamunuan ang ating bansa,” the Davao mayor told the religious group’s leader.