MANILA, Philippines — On Tuesday, the Nacionalista Party (NP) formally endorsed the candidacy of the Marcos-Duterte tandem.
The Nacionalista Party is the oldest political party in the country; the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ran for president under the 1965 NP. The party is currently headed by one of the country’s top billionaire Manny Villar and his wife Sen. Cynthia Villar.
In a statement, Villar expressed his affinity for the tandem’s call for unity.
“We believe that Bongbong and Inday Sara’s message of unity is crucial in binding our country together and inspiring our people as we rebuild not only from the pandemic but also from the political chasm that divides us,” the former senator said.
Villar added that the UniTeam’s track record and platform will “lead our country towards unity and prosperity.”
His son, Mark Villar, is also running for senator under NP and the Marcos-Duterte slate.
Bongbong Marcos was also a long-time member of the Nacionalista Party until he transferred to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas last October 2021.