'Ex-Marcos loyalists' push Sara-Chavit tandem for 2028

A group identifying itself as composed of "former loyalists” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his father and namesake is pushing for a possible tandem between Vice President Sara Duterte and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson in the 2028 national elections.

The so-called Sara-Chavit 2028 Nationwide Movement said it immediately discussed backing Duterte after she announced plans to run for president in 2028.

“Mula nang marinig namin ang opisyal na deklarasyon ng ating VP Sara Duterte noong February 28 na siya ay tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng bansang Pilipinas, agad kaming nagkaisa at nag-ugnayan upang pag-usapan ang matibay at nagkakaisang suporta sa tambalang Duterte-Singson,” the group said in a statement during a press conference Wednesday.

(Ever since we heard the official declaration of VP Sara Duterte last February 28 that she will run for President of the Philippines, we immediately united and coordinated to discuss our strong and unified support for the Duterte-Singson tandem.)

The group said it believes Duterte can scale up her experience as Davao City mayor to the national level.

“Ipinapakita ni Inday Sara Duterte ang kanyang husay sa paglilingkod. Mula sa kanyang karanasan bilang lokal na opisyal ng lalawigan ng Davao, makikita natin ang tunay na kaunlaran, at ito ay kayang gawin sa buong bansang Pilipinas,” the group said.

(Inday Sara Duterte shows her excellence in service. From her experience as a local official in Davao, we can see real progress, and this can be done for the entire Philippines.)

“Kami ay naniniwala na sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, maipagpapatuloy ang mga programang magpapaunlad sa ekonomiya, magpapatibay sa kapayapaan at kaayusan, at higit sa lahat, magpapaunlad sa bansang Pilipinas,” it added.

(We believe that under her leadership, programs that will strengthen the economy, peace and order, and national development will continue.)

Duterte earlier announced plans to run in the 2028 presidential race, apologizing for helping Marcos win in the 2022 elections and saying the administration failed to fulfill campaign promises.

She also said she has already chosen a running mate but has not yet revealed the identity to protect the person from political attacks.

While Duterte has not formally confirmed her vice presidential pick, the group said Singson is a strong fit for her.

“Subalit hindi niya kayang gawin ito nang walang kaagapay na isang tunay na public servant na may puso para pagmalasakitan ang ugat ng problema ng bansa. Kaya napili namin si Manong Chavit Singson para maging kaagapay at maging Pangalawang Pangulo ng bansang Pilipinas,” it said.

(However, she cannot do this without a partner who is a true public servant with the heart to address the root problems of the country. That is why we chose Manong Chavit Singson to be her partner and Vice President of the Philippines.)

The group admitted, however, that it has yet to formally discuss the endorsement with Singson.

“Bagamat hindi pa namin ito pormal na nakakausap, ito ay aming pinagkaisahan. Kami, mga former Marcos loyalists at mga nagkakaisang mamamayan, ay nagkasundo na kung wala pang pormal na deklarasyon para sa Pangalawang Pangulo, ay itinutulak namin si Manong Chavit Singson dahil nakita namin ang kanyang pamumuno sa Ilocos Sur,” the group said.

(Although we have not formally spoken to him yet, this is our collective decision. We, former Marcos loyalists and united citizens, agreed that since there is no formal vice presidential declaration yet, we are pushing Manong Chavit Singson because we have seen his leadership in Ilocos Sur.)—MCG, GMA News