DESPITE being ganged upon by his rivals during the vice presidential debate on Sunday, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he had fun during the debate and dismissed the mud-slinging as part of the game.
“It was fun. The debate last night was fun,” Marcos said during a media conference in Iloilo City where he was campaigning on Monday.
“More importantly, we were able to outline the programs that we are planning to implement if given the opportunity to serve,” said the 58-year-old senator.
He said he did not begrudge his opponents for ganging up on him at one point in the debate.
“This is a standard political strategy. If you want to have good numbers, you attack the one who is leading. I expected that so I was not surprised,” said Marcos.
“So I hope that we can raise the level of discussion higher than what it was and bring it to the programs and the projects that we plan to do in the next administration,” he said.
“I hope that even after the elections, we can set aside politics and go back to our old friendships,” he added.
Marcos also pointed out that he still considered the attacks as constructive. He said the exchange of words cannot be avoided in debates and a few noise and entertainment.
Also on Monday, Marcos was met by an estimated 5,000 volunteers and supporters, cheering, screaming or waving flags and campaign banners as he entered the jam-packed Jaro Plaza Gymnasium in Iloilo City shortly before noon.
Marcos thanked his supporters, noting they remained in the gym despite the brownout that unexpectedly hit the gym starting a few hours before his arrival.
“I’m sorry that you had to wait in this heat. I don’t understand why we suddenly have this brownout here. We really need to do more to ensure we won’t have brownouts, particularly when your candidate arrives here,” said Marcos.
“But the effect of this brownout is that your welcome became a lot warmer,” he added.
Organizers said the power outage only affected the gym but BBM volunteers chose to stay on despite the heat just to hear the senator speak.
However, Marcos refused to comment on speculations the brownout may be a deliberate ploy to sabotage his campaign in the province. While Iloilo is the home province of Marcos’ presidential running mate, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, it is considered to be largely a bailiwick of the ruling Liberal Party.
Marcos led his supporters in a formal oathtaking where they vowed to abide the laws and help in civic programs of their organization, among others.
“Further, I voluntary pledge to support the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos, as vice president of the Philippines,” the volunteers said in their oath.
Shortly before this, Marcos also inaugurated the Compact Team BBM Volunteer Center in Jaro, Iloilo City.
“I am here to campaign and I am here to get as much support as I can from Region VI. And I’m sure that once my message has been heard, more people will join us, similar to what is happening all over the country,” said Marcos.
The latest survey of the Social Weather Stations showed Marcos taking the solo lead in the vice presidential race. He said this supports his belief that people are receptive to his call for national unity.
