Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats vice presidential bet Sara Duterte has thanked Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor and House Representatives Paulino Leachon and Alfonso Umali Jr. of the province’s 1st and 2nd districts, respectively, for supporting her candidacy.
“Thank you very much for the time and opportunity you have given me to be with you, get to know you, and be able to give a short message for all of you,” Duterte said during her separate visit to the province’s key leaders Wednesday.
Meanwhile, former Health Secretary and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, backed the candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte in the May 9 national elections.
In an ambush interview in Iloilo, Garin – who served in the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III—said she opted to support the BBM-Sara tandem because “I believe in their call for unity.”
She also said with a Marcos presidency unity is a goal “to deliver to the people because he wants to disprove the allegations against him.”
Also, Duterte on Thursday reminded voters to prepare a sample ballot during election day to ensure that their right to vote, which is essential to nation-building, is properly exercised.
The chairperson of Lakas-CMD made this call during her speech at the Iloilo Convention Center, where a throng of supporters came out to see her and members of the BBM-Sara UniTeam Senate slate.
Earlier, Duterte paid a visit to Dolor at the capitol gym to meet with a crowd of drivers, operators, and other members of the transport sector.
Dolor, a member of the PDP-Laban party, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for the development projects that the government poured into the province.
Dolor also thanked Mayor Duterte for the financial assistance extended by Davao City during Typhoons Vista in 2017, Usman in 2018, and Tisoy and Ursula in 2019.
In a separate event, Mayor Duterte also met with Leachon and Umali, who were with 13 mayors of the province, all 10 board members and ex-officio members, councilors, and some barangay leaders.
Leachon also expressed gratitude to President Duterte for the “95 per cent connection of the municipal, city and provincial roads.”
“From end-to-end, from the north, which is Puerto Galera, to the South, which is Bulalacao, I am proud to say that the roads here have improved” Leachon said.
Last year, Leachon led the creation of the Mindoro Bago Sarili (MBS) local party along with his political allies. He said the entire MBS backs Sara’s vice-presidential bid.
In her visit to the province, Sara was accompanied by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and senatorial aspirant Sal Panelo.
The visit was part of her Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) which is now heading back to Mindanao.