Having assessed the electoral landscape for 2022, leaders of the closely-knit politicians in provinces north of Luzon urged former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to vie for the presidency in next year’s national elections.
Marcos, who asked to be identified only as Citizen Bongbong, stayed close second with 17.8 percent rating to presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio who scored 20.8 percent in the latest survey of Publicus Asia, Inc.
The political leaders, mostly mayors, congressmen and governors, have long composed themselves into what is known among Ilocandia electorates as the Solid North because they can command block votes.
Solid North leaders, led by Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano and League of Municipalities president and Narvacan town mayor Chavit Singson, met over the weekend with Marcos along with more than 30 lawmakers from the upper regions of Luzon.
It was in that Sunday meeting which Sen. Imee arranged as pre-SONA merienda at the Marcos old house in San Juan City, Metro Manila that the former senator was urged to run for president.
Even Marinduque governor and League of Provinces president Presbitero Velasco Jr. urged Marcos to join the presidential race and “reach for his dream.”
But the former senator, who busied himself with helping frontliners attending to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, remained non-committal.
