Sen. Bongbong Marcos with sisters Irene and Imee and their mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos in a recent gathering. Photo posted on Facebook bearing Sen. Marco’s name
BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte (Mabuhay) — Sans her running mate Sen. Francis Escudero, presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday started her campaign sortie in the Ilocos Region, a known bailwick the Marcoses.
An earlier advisory from the Poe-Escudero camp said the vice presidential aspirant will be in Sultan Kudarat. Their camp earlier said there will be times when the two candidates will be splitting up on the campaign trail so they could reach more provinces before the May 9 elections.
Poe was welcomed by Gov. Imee Marcos, elder sister of vice presidential aspirant Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of the Nacionalista Party.
Wearing a white top, which is Poe’s signature campaign color, Imee greeted Poe outside the city hall where the presidential aspirant is scheduled to meet with local officials.
But Imee clarified that she still supports her brother’s running mate, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago. The provincial governor said she is welcoming Poe because they consider her a family friend.
Poe’s father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., shot one of his famous films, Ang Panday, in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The late actor was a known supporter of the Marcos patriarch, the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Imee said that while Poe’s citizenship is being questioned, there is no doubt in her mind that Poe is an Ilocana.
She also joked about the rumor that Poe is the daughter of the former Philippine leader.
When asked by journalists whether she would be amenable to a Poe-Marcos victory in the 2016 polls, Imee quipped, “Marcos-Marcos?”
Poe and her entourage will then head to Mariano Marcos State University for a talk. They will also hold a press conference afterwards.
At noon, the senator will fly to Ilocos Sur to meet with local officials.
As of 2010, Ilocos Norte had a voting population of 361,977. Ilocos Sur’s voting population, meanwhile, stood at 385, 553. (MNS)