THE BBM-Sara UniTeam received a warm welcome in Regions 1 and 2, with Partido Federal standard bearer and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asking supporters in the Solid North to deliver the votes for his running mate from Davao, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The duo, consistent survey frontrunners, got a warm welcome as they went around the provinces of Cagayan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.
Although projected to win big in such regions, the UniTeam made an effort to go around the area to personally deliver their message of unity, healing and reconciliation.
In Pagudpud, Marcos’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, her son, Gov. Matthew Manotoc and BBM’s son, Sandro, joined the caravan as supporters came in droves at the venue by mid-morning even if the event was set for late afternoon.
The tandem also received warm welcome in the municipalities of Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag.
“I thank you for your warm welcome; Mabuhay ang Ilocos Norte, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at Mabuhay ang Pilipino,” Sara said, partly in Filipino.
Marcos, meanwhile, said in the local dialect: “Maraming salamat po sa aking mga kababayan, nandito na ang ating susunod na bise-presidente, ang pinaka-astig, pinakamagaling at pinakamahusay, ang agila ng Davao, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.”
Ilocanos gave Sara a bouquet of flowers, photographs and rendered local dance numbers.
Missed interviews
Meanwhile, a political analyst said Marcos’s refusal to participate in some interviews apparently did not affect his numbers in the recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia.
In fact, his strategy to skip some media interviews might even have helped him increase his lead over his opponents, said Atty. Ed Chico in a radio interview after the recent Pulse Asia survey of January 19 to 24 showed Marcos gaining an additional 7 percent compared with the previous survey result in December 2021.
From 53 percent last December, Marcos garnered 60 percent in the latest Pulse Asia poll.
“Let’s recall that this survey was done around that time that he refused to appear before the program of a famous broadcaster [Jessica Soho]. Despite [that] he (BBM) drew overwhelming support,” Chico said.
“In my view, it didn’t affect his ratings,” he added.
The lawyer reiterated that Marcos’s number is unprecedented and is in fact a history in the making.
Chico believed that the refusal of Marcos in some interviews seems to be an effective campaign strategy based on the result of the survey.
“You can see how big the lead is. The 53 percent jumping to 60 percent simply means the BBM camp’s campaign strategy was effective,” the lawyer said.