PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his runningmate Inday Sara Duterte on Thursday, February 10, 2022, held a grand rally in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila’s vote-rich industrial center, during which the formidable tandem and UniTeam’s entire Senate slate were formally endorsed by local government officials led by Mayor Rex Gatchalian.
The UniTeam was well-received by thousands of its supporters who expressed high optimism that the tandem of Bongbong and Sara (BBM-Sara), together with their senatorial bets, is the best team to lead the country in the next six years.
Marcos and Duterte-Carpio’s charismatic presence worked with the crowd as they were greeted with screams and shouts of joy shortly after they arrived at the Wellness Entertainment Sports (WES) Arena where the event was held.
In his speech, Marcos expressed gratefulness for the warm welcome during, which he also noted that unity within the city and among all those who were present in the event was very evident.
"Nais kong magpasalamat sa mga taga-Valenzuela sa mainit na pagsalubong ninyo sa tambalang Marcos-Duterte at sa buong UniTeam. Kami sa UniTeam ay hangad namin ang pagkakaisa. At sa (nakikita at) naranasan ko ngayon dito sa Valenzuela nagkaroon na ng UniTeam (pagkakaisa)," said Marcos.
Duterte-Carpio, for her part, said they are called UniTeam because they are convinced that in unity and togetherness “everything that is good for the country can be achieved.”
"Bakit UniTeam? Dahil naniniwala ako na 'in unity there is strength,' sa pagsasama at pagkakaisa magagawa natin lahat para sa bansa,” Duterte-Carpio said.
During the program, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian formally endorsed the BBM-Sara coalition, saying that among all the presidential aspirants, the UniTeam’s message of unity resonates most strongly to all people around the country.
"Ang Valenzuela City po ay buong pusong susuportahan ang BBM-Sara UniTeam," the mayor said.
"Alam ninyo ang higit na umakit sa akin na sumama sa UniTeam ay ‘yung mensahe nilang pagkakaisa, isang pangulo lang na kandidato, isang lider lang ang may mensahe sa pagkakaisa, walang oras pumatol, walang oras umaway, lalong napatunayan ito nang magsama sila ni Mayor Sara," the mayor added.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, brother of Mayor Rex, and who is in the UniTeam senatorial ticket, also urged their city-mates to give their unequivocal support to their team especially to Bongbong and Sara, as they carry the message of unity for the country.
"Kung paano niyo ako sinuportahan at minahal, dalhin natin ito sa ating susunod na presidente ng Pilipinas Bongbong Marcos at susunod na bise presidente Mayor Inday Sara, dala nila ang mensahe ng pagkakaisa," Senator Gatchalian said.
During the interview on the sidelines, majority of the people of Valenzuela were optimistic that Marcos and Duterte could carry the country to greater progress in the next six years.
“Naniniwala po kami sa kakayahan nilang mamuno at dalhin ang bansa sa kaunlaran,” Valenzuela resident Delia Andrade said. (PR)