MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since the election period started, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr campaigned in the Bicol region – home to his 5 opponents in the vice presidential race.  

Marcos first visited Camarines Norte on Friday, April 29, where he was welcomed by political rivals of the province.

Several mayors and Vice Governor Jonah San Pedro hosted Marcos at the Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel in the city of Daet.

These leaders are allied with incumbent Governor and reelectionist Edgardo Tallado under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Tallado was kicked out of the Liberal Party in June last year because of a scandal involving his mistress that spread online. He was also suspended by the Ombudsman last October for refusing to reinstate provincial veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales in November despite an order from the Civil Service Commission.

Meanwhile, Nacionalista Party (NP) gubernatorial bet Jesus Typoco organized a rally for Marcos in the city center where he also expressed his support for his party mate.

Marcos tried to woo Bicolanos gathered by dismissing regionalism and the notion of strongholds.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng balwarte ay napakalaking tulong dahil may lugar na makakaasa ka na sumusuporta syo. Pero hindi ako tumatakbo para lamang sa Ilocandia kundi sa buong Pilipinas at ako’y natutuwa na maganda naman ang pagtanggap sa akin sa buong bansa,” Marcos stressed.

(Having a bailiwick is a big help [in running for national office] because there are places where you can be assured of supporters. But I am not running only for Ilocandia but for the whole Philippines. And I am glad that the whole country has received me well.)

Aside from Camarines Norte, Marcos also campaigned in Legazpi, Albay where he was hosted by Representative Al Francis Bichara. Bichara’s name came into political prominence when he  became the acting mayor of Ligao City after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, which ousted Marcos’ father and namesake, the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Senators Francis Escudero, Gringo Honasan, and Antonio Trillanes IV all trace their roots to the Bicol provinces, but it is Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo who is believed to own the regional bloc vote. Robredo is the closest contender of poll front-runner Marcos. – Rappler.com