A group of Muslim youth in Carmen, North Cotabato is convinced that presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and Lakas-CMD vice presidential bet Sara Duterte have already won the race ahead of May elections.
One of those Muslim youth is Florabel Sinempalan, 21, who was with her friends attending the jam-packed rally in front of the municipal hall in the province on Monday morning.
Sinempalan said she will vote for the BBM-Sara tandem because they both deserve to win.
“Alam ko po na si Marcos ay deserving siyang maging pangulo ng Pilipinas. (I know that Marcos is deserving to be the President of the Philippines) I know Sara Duterte will help President Marcos in engaging more Filipinos with necessary programs,” Sinempalan said as she held a placard with a message “BBM – Sara Duterte: Uwian na, May Nanalo na!”
Sinempalan, a nursing student, said she agrees with the UniTeam’s advocacy in strengthening the quality of education and achieving a peaceful living for every Filipino, as stressed by Duterte in her speech.
She also believes that Marcos’ promise to provide better livelihood opportunities would help her parents.
Sinempalan also said she hopes the tandem would move to end discrimination against Muslims.
“As a Muslim, I know that the UniTeam will help the Muslim Filipinos and other religions in building respect. Most of the Muslims are being discriminated against. Thru the help of Bongbong and Sara Duterte, I know that it will stop, and Muslims will be seen equally with others,” she said.
Duterte and Marcos on Monday campaigned in the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.
They were welcomed by North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza in Carmen town; Mguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu in Buluan town; and Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu in Isulan town.
They were joined by senatorial bets Robin Padilla, Sherwin Gatchalian, Gilbert Teodoro, Jinggoy Estrada, Miguel Zubiri, and Mylah Roque, Harry Roque’s wife.`