EIGHT political parties yesterday belonging to the UniTeam alliance of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May 9.
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido ng Masang Pilipino, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, and Reform Party also appealed to the Comelec to ensure that all vote counting machines are in place and operational in all polling precincts during election day, and there will be no delay or failure in transmission of votes from the precinct to the canvassing.
“With days to go before May 9, we trust that all systems are in now in place to hold a fair and free elections. We trust in the integrity of our Comelec commissioners, and we believe in the honesty and competence of all men and women supervising the elections. We join our people in praying that the results of the 2022 elections usher in a new era of peace and development for our country and for our people,” they said in a joint statement.
Their call followed a video message from Marcos, released on Tuesday night, urging the public to vote for a leader who could unite the country and lead it to progress.
He urged everyone to forget misunderstanding and division that may have resulted from different political views.
Marcos and Duterte-Carpio, in a UniTeam “miting de avance” in Iloilo City on Tuesday night, urged the people to vote for them and their senatorial candidates, reiterating their commitment to provide more jobs and access to quality education, to sustain infrastructure programs, and continue the drive against illegal drugs and other crimes.
Duterte-Carpio urged the public to vote for Marcos who, she said, will “not sleep with the enemies of the state.” He said Marcos never talked to or would engage with groups that are out to topple the government.
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party (NP), endorsed Marcos and Duterte-Carpio.
Garin said Marcos is the only presidential candidate who has the most drive or desire to disprove his detractors, and bring the country towards progress.
On Thursday, the Marcos-Duterte-Carpio UniTeam will hold its Mindanao the miting de avance at the city hall grounds in Tagum City in Davao del Norte. The culminating Luzon miting de avance will be held on Saturday at a lot fronting Solaire Resort in Parañaque City.
