Ex-President Arroyo endorses Marcos Jr. to Pampanga province mates

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday endorsed to her province mates the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

During the festival rally in Pampanga, Arroyo, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, introduced Marcos to the crowd.

“Mahal kong cabalen, Kapampangan, mga kaibigan, sa ngalan ni Governor Delta Pineda, sa ngalan ni Vice Governor Nanay Baby Pindea, sa ngalan ng apat na congressmen ng Pampanga, sa ngalan ng dalawampung mayor ng Pampanga, ito na po ang susunod na Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.,” Arroyo said.

Organizers have estimated the Pampanga crowd at 250,000.

Arroyo has since endorsed the candidacy of Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Arroyo is the president emeritus of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), which Duterte leads.

Arroyo said Marcos needed Duterte in his presidency as she recalled that when she was still president, her then vice president, Noli De Castro, was of great help to her.

“Kailangan ni BBM, kahit matalino siya, para maging magaling na presidente, kailangan niya si Mayor Inday Sara Duterte bilang bise presidente. ‘Yun ang isang dahilan bakit ineendorso natin si Mayor Sara,” Arroyo said. —NB, GMA News