From Solid North to Solid South
MINDANAO LEADERS PLEDGE SUPPORT TO BONGBONG MARCOS

After getting the endorsement of Davao and Cotabato political leaders, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. has scored a "unanimous decision" in Zamboanga del Sur as all the 26 town and one city mayors manifested their support for his vice presidential candidacy.

Marcos received a groundswell of support from local political leaders and residents of Mindanao after bringing his "Unity Caravan" to the South for a four-day campaign, going through various places including General Santos City, the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Zamboanga del Sur and Compostela Valley.

Capping his four-day visit to Mindanao, Marcos got the endorsement of Zamboanga del Sur local executives, led by Governor Antonio Cerilles and Pagadian City Mayor Tata Polmones during the "Peace and Order Forum" sponsored by the Katipunan Guardians Brotherhood (KGB) partylist held at Megayon Stage in Dao, Pagadian City.

In front of a cheering crowd, Cerilles introduced Marcos as the next Vice President. "Ang ating pag-asa, ang susunod na Vice President, si Bongbong Marcos. Siya ang makakagawa ng maganda dito sa Zamboanga del Sur," Cerilles said in introducing Marcos to the rousing cheers of the mayors, vice mayors, board members, councilors, barangay officials, and members and officers of KGB led by its first nominee Marjon Cerilles.

Aside from the governor and the mayors, also present during the forum were Reps. Aurora Cerilles, wife of the governor, and Victor Yu.

In his speech, Marcos thanked the people for their overwhelming support and asked them to join him in his advocacy for national unity saying the whole country should unite to fight the ills of society particularly drugs and criminality.

He said unity among the parents, teachers, the church, and other sectors is a must since no single agency, group, or individual, can solve the illegal drugs problem without the support of the whole society.

"Kaya samahan ninyo ako sa kilusan na ito kung saan isusulong natin ang pagkakaisa ng lahat ng Pilipino na sa nagdaang mga panahon ay pinagwatak-watak ng politika. Sa pagkakaisa lamang natin malulutas ang ating mga problema," he said.

Marcos also secured the support of political leaders of the Davao Region with the endorsement of Davao Del Norte Reps. Antonio "Tony Boy" Floirendo and Anton Lagdameo, PBA partylist official Jericho "Koko" Nograles, Panabo City Mayor James Gamao, among others.

Floirendo, who attended the event for the senator at the Panabo Multi-purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center in Panabo City said the whole of Davao is supporting the candidacy of Marcos because of his political platforms and his track record in government service.

Thousands of people, mostly showing ALDUB streamers, lined the streets in Davao City for Marcos' motorcade to show their support to the senator. ALDUB is short for Alyansang (Rody) Duterte-Bongbong.

Marcos was also warmly received by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy.

Del Rosario, in his speech before provincial employees said he it was then President Ferdinand Marcos who encouraged him to run for political office in 1978 and appointed him Minister of Natural Resources in 1984.

"I owe a lot to the father of our senator, Bongbong Marcos. That is why I consider it a privilege to introduce to you all the son of my former boss. With your help and support, we may soon see him as the new Vice President of our country," Del Rosario said.

The senator had also consolidated the support of the predominantly Ilocano-speaking towns and cities in North Cotabato with the mayor of Makilala, Rudy Caoagdan, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, crossing party lines to support his vice presidential bid.

Marcos went around several towns and cities in North Cotabato, particularly in Makilala, Kidapawan, Matalam, Kabacan and Midsayap--areas where Ilocano migrants settled--and received warm welcome by local officials and residents, especially in Kabacan town where around 65 % of residents were of Ilocano descent.

The senator was also conferred the title of Supreme Leader by the T'boli tribe of South Cotabato with the rank of Datu Kelmokul and the adopted son of T'boli and Blaan tribes.