Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and running mate Sara Duterte (File photo)
MANILA – With barely five weeks left before the May 9 elections, presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sees the endorsement of Nacionalista Party (NP) as an added boost that will solidify the UniTeam's campaign.
“We are very happy every time na meron tayong nakukuhang suporta lalong-lalo na sa pinanggalingan naming partido na Nacionalista Party. Mabuti ‘yan at lahat ng kaibigan at kaalyado ay nagsama-sama na (that we got support especially from our original party, Nacionalista Party. It’s good that all our friends and allies joined together),” he said in a news release on Tuesday.
“Nagpapasalamat syempre kami kay Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Cynthia at maging kay senator na si Mark Villar. Nagpapasalamat kami sa kanila na patuloy ang suporta nila sa amin ni Inday Sara (Of course, we are thankful to (former) Senator Manny Villar, Senator Cynthia and future senator Mark Villar. Me and Inday Sara are thankful to them),” he added.
NP is the oldest and one of the most organized and influential political parties in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, Manny Villar, president and chairman of the national directorate of Nacionalista Party, said they believed in UniTeam's message of unity that is crucial in binding the country.
"For the May 2022 elections, the Nacionalista Party fully supports the candidacies of Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. for President and Inday Sara Duterte for Vice President," Villar said.
Villar said the UniTeam has the platforms of government, qualifications, and track record to lead the country towards unity and prosperity.
The endorsement came after Laylo Research latest poll showed that Marcos still enjoys a huge lead over his rivals with 61 percent vote preference and equally high 53 percent trust rating.
Before joining the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas last year, Marcos was a member of Nacionalista Party since 2009.
Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was the standard-bearer of the party during his term from 1965 to 1972.
The Nacionalista Party is among the biggest political parties that have already rallied behind the UniTeam.
Last week, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the National Unity Party (NUP) also announced their endorsement of Marcos and Duterte.
Villar's son, Mark Villar who is eyeing a Senate seat, is one of UniTeam's senatorial candidates. (PR)
