NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer has announced that majority of the officials in the province support the bids of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for president and vice president, respectively.
Aside from the 25 mayors, two congressmen and six board members have committed to support Marcos and Duterte-Carpio known as the "BBM-Sara tandem," Ferrer said.
Fifth District Representative Marilou Arroyo and Fourth District Representative Juliet Marie Ferrer have already confirmed support for the BBM-Sara tandem.
Ferrer said he also expects the support of Third District Representative Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez.
The board members who committed to back Marcos and Duterte-Carpio are Ryan Gamboa (Philippine Councilors League-Negros), Andrew Montelibano (Third District), Jose Benito Alonso (Fourth District), Agustin Ernesto Bascon (Fifth District), Valentino Miguel Alonso (Sixth District) and Juvy Pepillo (Liga ng mga Barangay).
For the mayors, Ferrer said Melecio Yap of Escalante City, Marxlene Dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Vice Mayor Narwin Javelosa of Sagay City, all mayors of the Third, Fourth and Fifth District of the province, Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao and Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara are backing Marcos and Duterte-Carpio.
Some of these local executives were present in an event organized by Ferrer at the Stonehill Suites in Bacolod City Sunday, December 12.
The vice governor also initiated a meeting at the venue with different organizations and volunteer groups in the province supporting Marcos and Duterte-Carpio.
Also present was Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos, who is the BBM-Sara tandem campaign manager.
"My wife is a Benedicto and you are already aware of the closeness of former Ambassador Roberto Benedicto to the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (the father of former senator Marcos)," Ferrer said.
He also said he and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson already agreed to respect the decisions of the mayors in terms of the national candidate.
Abalos, meanwhile, said although several disqualification petitions were hurled against Marcos, "the voice of the people is the voice of God."
Abalos noted the high ratings of Marcos based on the latest surveys.
"He [Marcos] is now leading the presidential race at almost 66 percent," he added.
Ferrer said they hope President Rodrigo Duterte would soon officially endorse the BBM-Sara tandem.
The Unity Team of the BBM-Sara Tandem is expected to arrive in the province by January 2022.