Press Release
February 20, 2016

Cojuangco rallies Pangasinenses to unite for VP bid of Sen. Marcos

Gubernatorial candidate and former Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco over the weekend rallied fellow Pangasinenses to unite behind the candidacy of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. for Vice President in the 2016 elections.

In his brief message at the 11th Barangay Health Workers District Congress at the Plaza Enrique Braganza in Alaminos City, where the senator was the guest speaker, Cojuangco said Marcos is the best candidate for the post because of his extensive experience both in his personal life and as public servant.

"Sana po ay huwag nating pabayaan na lumagpas itong ating pagkakataon na muli maipakita natin sa buong Pilipinas na meron tayong pagkakaisa dito sa Norte, meron tayong pagkakaisa dito sa Pangasinan. Suportahan po natin ang kandidatura ni Senator Bongbong Marcos for Vice President," said Cojuangco.

He said a man's experience is the best gauge as to his capability to serve.

"Itong tao pong kasama natin, ang ating kapatid, ang ating kaibigan, ay isang anak po ng Norte, isang taong naging malapit sa kapangyarihan, ngunit naging api rin. Kaya alam ko po na itong taong ito ay grounded in reality. Ibig sabihin po, totoong tao ito, hindi po ito puro ideya lang," he added.

Cojuangco's open endorsement confirmed the earlier statement of Marcos that major political groups in the province, even from opposing camps, heeded his call for national unity and have agreed to support his candidacy for vice president.

The Cojuangco's are facing off in the 2016 polls with erstwhile ally, the family of incumbent Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr., but both sides have pledged their support for Marcos in the vice presidential race.

With a long history of helping the province and a fellow son of the North, Marcos enjoys the natural affinity of Pangasinenses, according to Cojuangco. Apart from Cojuangco, Abono party list Rep. Conrado Estrella III also backed the vice presidential bid of Marcos.

For his part Marcos expressed gratitude to long-time allies and friends in Pangasinan for their outpouring of support.

"This is actually the second generation. Ambassador (Eduardo) Cojuangco (Jr.) is close to my father; 'Tata Condring', the grandfather of Congressman Estrella was in charge of the land reform program during my father's administration. It's encouraging to see they are still with us today," he said.

Marcos said securing the solid support of vote-rich Pangasinan is a major component of his campaign to reinvigorate the "Solid North" as a showcase of his call for national unity.

In a related development, Marcos is the top choice for vice president in the vote-rich province of Pangasinan in a non-commissioned survey on 1,500 residents of Pangasinan on January 10 to 19, 2016 covering 5 cities and 43 municipalities with the senator garnering the highest points with 41.5 percent of the respondents.

Senator Francis Escudero was a far second with 25.4 percent followed by Allan Peter Cayetano with 13.3 percent. Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo came in fourth with 7.6 percent, followed by Senator Gringo Honasan at 6.9 percent and Senator Antoio Trillanes with 5.3 percent.

The survey, conducted by Issues and Advocacy Center as part of its service to the voting public with field work, review and analysis provided by Data Advisors, has 2.8 percent margin of error with 98 percent accuracy.

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