BIG political names in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro formally announced their support for the candidacy of UniTeam frontrunners former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong (BBM)" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during a grand rally on Wednesday, March 30.
In a press release, the prominent political clans in Davao del Norte, namely, the Del Rosarios, Floirendos, Dujalis, Uys and Aalas, were among BBM-Sara’s staunch allies who were present in the provincial rally held in Carmen town on Wednesday morning. They were also joined by Mayor Virginia Perandos of the host town.
Oyo Uy, from the well-known Uy family of the business and enterprise sector, said they do not have any other candidate for the country’s two highest posts but only the UniTeam candidates.
“Diri sa Davao del Norte, 101 percent ang among support sa BBM-Sara tandem. Walang ibang makapapagpatuloy ng mga nasimulan ni President Duterte kundi sila lang (Here in Davao de Norte, we are 101 percent supporting the BBM-Sara tandem. No other candidate can continue what President Duterte has started but them),” Uy said.
Uy is vying for vice gubernatorial post in tandem with another accomplished politician — Board Member Roy Catalan of Panabo City.
Incumbent Second District Representative Alan Dujali said his constituents will deliver an all-out support to the UniTeam tandem.
“Walang iwanan hanggang matapos ang laban (We will support them until the end of the election race),” Dujali said.
Former governor Anthony del Rosario, current secretary general of Duterte-Carpio-led regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), said a BBM-Sara administration “could pave the way in continuing the no-non sense leadership” of the outgoing President.
Del Rosario said he agrees with the UniTeam’s policy directions like job generation for Filipinos who were left jobless due to massive economic effects of Covid-19.
“Nakita naman natin na malaki ang negative impact sa ekonomiya (We saw a negative impact of the pandemic to the economy). That’s why importante talaga na (it is important that) the first thing we do is to generate jobs,” del Rosario said.
“Before we can generate jobs we also need to provide the needed support for small business dahil 99 percent of our businesses belong to the small, medium enterprise so if we are able to provide assistance to our small businesses then surely they will be able to generate more jobs,” he added.
Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy also said their local team “Walang Iwanan” believes in the tandem’s message of unity and advocacies to unite the Filipinos.
“Kami nagatuo sa ilang gidala nga unity platform. Usa pod mi ka believer ana sa Davao de Oro (We believe in the unity platform they carry. Coming from Davao de Oro, I am a personal believer) because through unity sa mga (among) political leaders, mahimo jud nga paspas ang mga progreso sa usa ka lugar (progress would fasttrack in a certain area),” Uy said.
Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, who is eyeing a congressional comeback, said she believes the UniTeam’s platforms are “the most doable” and “timely” given the current situation faced by the country due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our country needs economic recovery, and the BBM-Sara tandem sees that need. We need to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic, and the UniTeam has the most profound platform to resolve the national issue,” Zamora said.
She said Marcos and Duterte’s plans resemble the exact needs of every local government unit.
“Klaro ang plataporma ng UniTeam. Kaya kami dito sa (UniTeam’s platform is clear. That is why we from the) provincial government really agrees to their advocacies because we truly need more jobs, high quality education, and peace and order,” Zamora added.
The UniTeam tandem visited three areas in Davao Region. The first stop was at Carmen in Davao del Norte in the morning, followed by Pantukan, Davao De Oro in the afternoon, and lastly, Barangay Tres De Mayo, Digos City in Davao del Sur in the evening.
Davao City, the mayor’s hometown was not included, after she said on Monday, March 28 that she personally "refused" to have it held there.
The provincial rally was attended by senatorial bets Sherwin Gatchalian, Mark Villar, Larry Gadon, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Gringo Honasan, Robin Padilla, Harry Roque, and Loren Legarda.