POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato – LAKAS-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte’s brother, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Z. Duterte, pointed to the “signs” regarding their father’s possible endorsement of UniTeam’s presidential hopeful, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“We don’t know yet [if he will endorse], but there are signs already. We’ve already seen the PDP-Laban release a statement that they’re supporting BBM so I hope the President will express his support to BBM,” Baste said, partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview after the proclamation rally of local candidates led by Gov. Jun Tamayo at Polomolok gymnasium.
He was referring to the PDP-Laban’s (Cusi wing) recent endorsement of the presidential candidacy of Marcos.
Marcos’ running mate in the May 2022 polls is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Asked if he would prefer that their president-dad endorse Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Marcos, Baste answered, “Of course.”
The vice mayor said that Marcos, who hails from way up north in Ilocos Norte, is dominating the surveys in Davao.
“As far as I know he really has high ratings in Davao. More than 80 percent, 85 percent. We’re trying to push for 90,” said Baste, who represented Mayor Sara during the UniTeam rally here where he received a rockstar treatment like Marcos from thousands of UniTeam supporters.
The audience gave a warm welcome not only to Marcos and Baste Duterte but to the UniTeam senatorial slate members — Mark Villar, Herbert Bautista, Gibo Teodoro, Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta, Larry Gadon, and Migz Zubiri.
Tamayo, PFP president, made clear in his speech what is at stake in the upcoming elections.
“If Bongbong Marcos becomes president, and Sara Duterte becomes vice president, and all senatorial candidates here win, I can’t imagine the kind of development and progress that will come to South Cotabato,” Tamayo said in campaigning for UniTeam in a jampacked gymnasium here.
“The only thing we need now is to be united, and together push to victory the UniTeam here in South Cotabato,” Tamayo added.
Before the Polomolok rally, Marcos was warmly greeted by the people
during the mini rally at General Santos City Hall.
Tamayo hosted a meet-and-greet/lunch with South Cotabato local officials for UniTeam candidates led by Marcos at PFP Headquarters at JC Hotel and Convention Center in Tupi town.
A UniTeam rally at the open field of South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City was scheduled late Sunday afternoon.