Duterte breaks into 'Solid North', meets Chavit

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte continues to woo the votes of the northerners in his latest campaign sortie in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur where he met former governor Chavit Singson and some members of his family.

“The Duterte-Cayetano camp is bouyed up by another warm reception, this time in Vigan, Ilocos Sur -- part of the vaunted Solid North,” his spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a statement on Thursday.

Also present during the reception were incumbent Governor Ryan Singson and Vigan Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina.

Duterte was accompanied by Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano who represented her husband and the mayor's running mate, Se. Alan Peter Cayetano.

“We understand the veteran Chavit went out of a self-imposed retirement from politics to meet Duterte and Mayor Lani. We are very thankful for the Ilocano hospitality and warm welcome,” Laviña added.

The Singson patriarch previously expressed his support to the candidacy of Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Marcos, son and namesake of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, had served as governor, vice governor and congressman representing Ilocos Norte.

Singson’s bailiwick is part of the so-called Solid North, a regional-bloc vote that includes the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

All the provinces in these regions have a total number of 5,777,889 registered voters for the 2016 elections.

“Notwithstanding political colors and affiliations, Duterte is extending his arms to everyone as he desires to unify the Filipino people and the whole nation... What is important for us is to reach everyone and break the wall of the Solid North for Duterte,” Laviña said.

Before heading to Vigan City, Duterte visited vote-rich Pangasinan province, which has a total number of 1,705,260 registered voters in 2016.

Last month, Duterte also visited Laoag City. — APG, GMA News