Tarlac votes pledged to UniTeam
PANIQUI, Tarlac – Governor Susan Yap and other local leaders in this province committed to deliver some 60 percent of votes for the UniTeam tandem of former Senator Bongbong Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
In an interview after the day-long caravan and rallies, Yap said it is her own decision to support the UniTeam tandem and believe that the National People’s Coalition (NPC), a party which she belongs to, is also backing Marcos and Mayor Sara.
“Here in Tarlac we are endorsing the Uniteam of course. Three of our members are with UniTeam and also two senatorial candidates,” Yap told reporters in an ambush interview.
The lady Governor also said at least 14 Mayors in Tarlac, who are all members of the NPC, are backing the BBM-Sara tandem.
Before the grand rally in Paniqui auditorium, the leaders of the NPC has endorsed the BBM-Sara tandem.
They made the endorsement during the meet-and-greet with local and sectoral leaders organized for UniTeam by Gov. Yap and his brother Rep. Victor Yap.
The NPC was formed by the late business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.
It is now headed by Senate President Vicente Sotto lll. Tarlac is a known opposition bailiwick.
Rep. Yap said his sister, Gov. Yap, who is the party leader in their province, has given them the freedom to choose who to support among the presidential and vice presidential candidates.
“Ako po ay naatasan na magsalita ng isang commitment ng partido, ng NPC sa aming lalawigan. Si governor kinausap lahat ng mga miyembro ng (NPC) Tarlac, pati ang mga pamilyang kinikilala natin dito tulad ng mga Cojuangco. Kinausap din niya ang mga lider ng partido upang ibigay ang laya na tayo ay sumunod na dito sa (BBM-Sara) tandem,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Yap thanked Mayor Sara and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for helping Tarlac with infrastructure projects.
“Gusto ko muna magpasalamat sa kanya (Mayor Sara) at sa kanyang ama dahil po tayo sa Tarlac, hindi po nila pinabayaan, marami po tayong mga building projects under the Build, Build Build (program). I feel the warmth of this administration and it is my responsibility to really campaign hard for her, no other than ang aking minamahal at nakilala ko Mayor Sara Duterte,” she told her constituents before introducing Mayor Sara in the event.
Also during the event, religious leaders of various faiths prayed over members of UniTeam led by Marcos and Duterte, including their senatorial slate during a meet-and-greet program here.
UniTeam candidates also held separate rallies in Tarlac City and Capas.