Mindanao officials on Bongbong Marcos: Party allegiance or Ilocano roots?

With vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr visiting a Mindanao province with towns populated by Ilocano migrants, what has more weight – Ilocano kinship or party allegiance?

Patty Pasion reports.

Sa ikalawang araw niya sa Mindanao, nangampanya si Bongbong Marcos sa ilang bayan sa North Cotabato kung saan maraming Ilocano. 

Di gaya ng kanyang pagbisita sa General Santos City at ilang bayan sa South Cotabato, mas mainit ang pagtanggap sa kanya sa mga bayan ng Makilala, Kidapawan, Matalam, Cabacan, at Midsayap.

Karamihan sa mga bayan na ito ay pinamununuan ng lahing Ilokano at kabilang sa Liberal Party na dominante sa probinsya.

Sabi ng Senador, may mga ilan nang mayor na sumusuporta sa kanyang kandidatura.

Isa sa mga hayagang nagpahayag ng suporta sa kanya si Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan.

Samantala, si Governor Emmylou Mendoza sinabing suportado pa rin niya ang mga kandidato ng Liberal Party sa kabila ng mainit niyang pagtanggap nang bumisita ang Senador, na kapwa niya Ilocano.

Patuloy ding sinagot ni Marcos ang mga tanong mula sa lokal na media ukol sa kahihinatnan ng BBL.  

Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 16% lang ang rating ni Marcos sa Mindanao, habang nasa 27% naman si Senador Chiz Escudero. Maipanalo kaya ng mga Ilocano sa Cotabato si Marcos dito sa Mindanao?

Patty Pasion, Rappler, North Cotabato.

TRANSLATION

On his second day in Mindanao, Bongbong Marcos campaigned in several municipalities in North Cotabato where many are Ilocanos.  

Unlike his visits to General Santos City and some towns in South Cotabato, people from the towns of Makilala, Kidapawan, Matalam, Kabacan, and Midsayap welcomed him more warmly.  

Most of the towns he visited are led by Ilocanos and also members of the Liberal Party who dominate the province. 

The senator said there are some mayors backing his vice-presidential bid. 

One of those who declared support for him is Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan. 

Meanwhile, Governor Emmylou Mendoza said she is still supporting the Liberal Party despite her warm welcome of Marcos, who is her fellow Ilocano. 

Marcos continued to answer questions from the local media about the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.  

Currently, Marcos’ rating in Mindanao is only 16% compared to Senator Chiz Escudero’s 27%. Can the Ilocanos in Cotabato make him win here in Mindanao? 

Patty Pasion, Rappler, North Cotabato.– Rappler.com