Marcos Former Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. (center) with Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano (L) and Narvacan Mayor Chavit Singson (R).

‘Solid North’ backs BBM

July 25, 2021 People's Tonight 1515 views

AROUND fifty congressmen and local political leaders of the closely-knitted ‘solid north’ gathered late afternoon Sunday in what Sen. Imee Marcos described as a ‘pre-SONA’ merienda at the senator’s old house in San Juan City, Metro Manila.

Although the senator’s brother, former Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. has yet to make a final announcement of his 2022 poll plan, the gathering was interpreted by some attending congressmen as an assessment of BBM’s chances to win in next year’s presidential race.

With a 17.8 percent rating, BBM scored a close second in the latest survey of Publicos Asia, Inc. to the presidential daughter who got 20.8 percent with VP Leni Robredo running third with 13.2 percent and the Manila mayor in fourth place with a score of 11.3 percent.

“If he will decide to run for president, BBM will surely get the block votes of the so-called ‘solid north’ which count to a few millions coming from the provinces of Regions 1 and 2 and some parts of Region 3,” said one congressman who requested anonymity.

“By default, our political culture in the Ilocandia is to always stick to an Ilocano bet in any national electoral post,” he proudly explained.

“While some presidentiables have made known this early their intentions to vie for the presidency, it appears that BBM is keeping close to his chest his decision which is typical of a seasoned politician… the very reason why we are confident of his victory in this coming election,” stressed another member of the ‘solid north’ who attended the pre-SONA merienda arranged by Sen. Imee.

Unseen by public eyes, BBM, who asked to be identified only as Citizen Bongbong, reportedly ran a few rounds of assistance and social welfare projects to medical and government frontliners handling the fight against the coronavirus and victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.

“And despite his unheralded regular political routines and discreet consultations with leaders and supporters, our very own BBM still scored very high in presidential surveys conducted by credible pulsing institutions,” said another member-solon of the ‘solid north.’

The congressman added: “We expect Sen. Imee to roll out more political tightening moves for her brother in whatever decision that BBM would come up soon or on the day of the filing of CoCs… since I’ve already said that by default we, Ilocanos, stick to our own candidates.”

AUTHOR PROFILE