The top officials of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Hugpong ng Pagbabago and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino on Thursday, November 24 forged an alliance to support the candidacy of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in the 2022 polls.
The signatories were signed by PFP president and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.; Lakas-CMD president and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; PMP president former Senator Jinggoy Estrada and HNP president and Davao Occidental Claude Bautista.
Under the UniTeam Alliance Agreement, the parties stated that they are one in pursuing good governance, in reforming to reboot and rebound the economy; in sustaining the COVID-19 war and national unification and healing; and addressing other enormous problems that the country is facing.
All four parties have also agreed to adopt Marcos and Duterte-Carpio as their respective presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the upcoming national elections.
Marcos is the PFP chairman while Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is the chairperson of both Lakas-CMD and HNP.
Marcos, Duterte-Caprio welcome alliance
Marcos, who attended the event held at Sofitel in the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, said the agreement was a necessary step to bring together different political forces in the upcoming elections.
"It is with these unifying steps that we hope to bring stability back, well first to the political arena, which now is in the middle of the decision-making process that our people will have to come to when May comes, the election comes," Marcos said.
Meanwhile, in a video message, Duterte-Carpio said the alliance "echoes loudly of our triumph to peacefully unite and stand side by side in the pursuit of continued development and positive change for our fellow Filipinos and the Philippines."
"The UniTeam has done something remarkable in a time when political noise and bickering drown the issues and problems confronting the Filipino people — that is, to forge a partnership as one organization, setting aside political rivalries and differences, to become strong partners of the people and the nation. Our alliance is built on friendship, trust, and the commitment to serve the Filipinos and the country," she said.
Duterte added that as the coalition's vice presidential bet, she is proud of the agreement that powerfully illustrates leadership transcending throughout political colors.
