“WE are optimistic. We are confident, but we are never complacent and iyon lagi ang aming guarded optimism!”

Atty. Vic Rodriguez, chief of staff and spokesperson of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., issued the statement on Monday during an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna, as he called on millions of their supporters to remain calm but vigilant, and ensure that their votes are counted in the upcoming May 9 election.

“Siyempre naman when you embark on a big undertaking as huge as this, you have to have a positive mindset. Similarly, our campaign is positive campaigning. Now, we’re down into the last stretch of the campaign, are we confident? We have to be, otherwise, we do not have any business continuing with our campaign if we are not confident or optimistic of our chances come May 9,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said that there are lots of information and misinformation flying around these few days leading to elections, and he urged their supporters to be very circumspect and wary when processing and verifying anything that comes their way.

He also urged the public to trust the electoral process and the institution, particularly the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that will mainly be responsible in conducting the political exercise.

“In fact, we have to support them. We have to strengthen them. Do we trust Smartmatic? well, it’s a tough question you’ve asked, Ka Tunying. Basta’t meron tayong malungkot na karanasan noong 2016. So, yan ay kinakailangan nating bantayan subalit yun nga maniwala tayo sa pamahalaan,” said Rodriguez.

“Nagtitiwala tayo kay Pangulong Duterte na gagawin nyang bahagi ng kanyang legacy bilang pangulo na malinis, marangal at tapat ang magiging halalan. Smartmatic, we’ll leave it up to the commission on elections but we will guard our votes and make sure that our vote is counted,” he added.

Rodriguez said that apart from the millions of supporters who vowed to vote for Marcos on May 9, there must also be watchers who should keep tight watch of the ERs (election returns).

“Ang kagandahan nito, meron tayong UniTeam eh it’s alliance of political parties so marami kaming katulong na magbabantay bukod sa PFP, yung Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. Nandyan ‘yung Lakas, yung partido ni vice presidential frontrunner Inday Sara Duterte,” he said.

“Nandyan din ‘yung Partido ng Masang Pilipino ni Senator Jinggoy at ni dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada. Nandyan din ngayon ang Nacionalista Party at nandyan ngayon ang PDP-Laban at marami pang iba. pati yung mga partylist,” he explained.

Rodriguez also said that the warning issued by President Duterte to some groups and individuals who might want to subvert or influence the outcome of elections should serve them in good stead.

“Wag ninyong subukan at wag kayong mandaraya sa kanyang termino sapagkat ito ay, tingin ko ang gusto n’yang maging bahagi ng Duterte Legacy.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco