Political leaders in Pangasinan led by reelectionist Gov. Amado Espino III as well as congressman and gubernatorial candidate Ramon Guico III on Saturday endorsed the tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, firming up further the so-called Solid North’s overwhelming support of the UniTeam candidates.
Key leaders from the vote-rich province have temporarily set aside local politics and party affiliations to rally behind the tandem.
Espino, a stalwart of the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), led provincial officials, including Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil of the National Unity Party (NUP), in welcoming Duterte-Carpio at the provincial capitol.
Duterte came from a campaign in the neighboring province of La Union where she and Marcos got the support and endorsement of officials led by Gov. Emmanuel Ortega III of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
“Ilocos region is really for BBM-Sara,” Espino said.
His opponent, Guico, a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party (NP), also assured a landslide victory for the UniTeam bets in vote-rich Pangasinan, which has almost two million registered voters.
“Regardless of political colors, I think Pangasinan is united for BBM-Sara,” Guico said in a separate interview in Alaminos City before Duterte-Carpio inaugurated the Sara for VP Alaminos Headquarters.
“Pangasinan has almost two million voters so a lot of our allies have command votes in their respective municipalities and cities. So I’m sure we can deliver a lot for Team UniTeam, for BBM and Sara,” Guico added.
Pangasinan Rep. Christopher De Venecia and former Rep. Rachael Arenas, who is running for Congress this election, also assured of a UniTeam victory in the province.
“We have seen what Inday Sara has done in Davao—very clean, very orderly, and very progressive. So we are very honored that she is our chairman of Lakas-CMD and our candidate for vice president,” De Venecia said.
La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel, who met with Duterte-Carpio in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Agoo Friday, has also assured the tandem of her all-out support.