Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., has gained support from a prominent political bloc in Manila led by the son of the late mayor Mel Lopez Jr.
A lawyer by profession, Alex Lopez is the official mayoral candidate of the PFP in Manila.
He personally took his oath as party member on Wednesday at the BBM Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Lopez said he will formally file his certificate of candidacy on Friday under the Comelec “rules of substitution” from mayoral candidate Calvin Punzalan.
His running mate is actor Raymond Bagatsing.
Atty. Lopez said he has chosen to endorse Marcos because of his track record and credibility as a unifying leader.
“Dahil nakikita ko ang Pilipinas ay panahon na para ibalik natin ang sigla at vision ng pag-asenso. Ang pag-ahon ng Pilipinas ay nasa kay Bongbong,” said Lopez as he vowed to deliver the majority votes in Manila this coming May 2022 national elections.
Manila has about 1 million registered voters.
During the 2016 national elections, the Lopez voting bloc in the capital city supported the candidacy of Marcos for vice president.
Alex is the eldest son of Mayor Mel, while Sara is the daughter of former Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel.
Both VP Laurel and Mayor Mel were known opposition leaders during the martial law era, but their political bias apparently hasn’t been passed on to the next generation.
“This is to bury the ghost of the past for progress and reconciliation,” he added.
“Nakikita ko ang pagbabago kay BBM. He has the vision. He has the training. He has the dedication and BBM has a very good heart and he has the vision for a better Philippines,” stressed Lopez.
Lopez said whatever mistakes there may have been in the past now stand a chance of being corrected with BBM’s apparent kindness of spirit and love of country.
“He’s seeing the mistakes of the past and with all of these, I think it can bring a bright future to the country,” said Lopez.