Political powerhouses in the vote-rich province of Bulacan are split in endorsing the presidential bids of Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
At the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, along with several local officials of the province under his wing, announced their support for Robredo.
Fernando said he believes in Robredo’s capability to steer the country towards honest and clean governance.
“Our country needs a leader who is not tainted with corruption and has a strong faith in God to steer us toward growth and peace,” Fernando said.
Incumbent Vice Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, for his part, said Marcos would win handily in the province.
“On my tour, especially in remote areas, it is Bongbong Marcos,” Alvarado said.
“First of all, they [Marcos rivals] are oppressing. If you will base the outcome during the last [2016 national] elections, Marcos won here in Bulacan province,” he added.
During the 2016 vice-presidential race, Marcos garnered 42.50 percent or about 556,480 votes in the province and led against Robredo by up to 190,401 votes.
The province of Bulacan is the fifth vote-rich province in the upcoming 2022 elections, with 2,007,523 registered voters.
But for Fernandez, it is a woman—Robredo—who stands out the most among the 10 presidential candidates.
“There are nine male candidates, but there is only one woman. A solo parent who, even before entering politics, has already been serving the people and the marginalized,” the governor said.