Charles Teves
It’s safe to say that Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri supports the presidential candidacy of Bongbong Marcos.
During a UniTeam sortie in Zubiri’s home province of Bukidnon on Thursday, the senator seeking reelection declared the dictator’s son as “our president” as he thanked the local leaders for coming through with the rally.
“Karun lang ko nakakita nga in-ani ka daghan nga tawo who are here to support one person… Daghan tawo gapalangga sa atong presidente. Wala, uli na ta, daug na,” he told the Malaybalay crowd.
Prior to the visit, Zubiri hasn’t endorsed any presidential bet. All he said was “I love them dearly” and that he “wished them all well.” He was adopted by Vice President Leni Robredo’s senatorial slate. His 81-year old father also endorsed Marcos for president.
Marcos also received the endorsement of Team Bag-ong Bukidnon, a group opposing the Zubiri family. Bukidnon 4th District Representative Rogelio Neil Roque, its head, is gunning for governor against Joe Zubiri’s son Cong. Manuel.
Provincial board member Nemesio Beltran Jr. said that the UniTeam’s visit to Bukidnon was the official endorsement of the Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP), which Zubiri leads.
“The BPP, from the mayors down to the councilors, and our candidates for provincial board seats are one with Governor Zubiri’s endorsement of BBM and Sara,” Beltran said.
Zubiri’s endorsement of Marcos wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone, given that his family is close with the Marcoses.
Hay tapos si Neri pinagsisigawan na Leni ang presidente pero wala sa slate https://t.co/Nkg8wQt4Ll
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) April 1, 2022
What Zubiri did was betrayal, netizens said.
Time to #DropZubiri
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) April 1, 2022
Migz Zubiri have shown his true colors and openly endorsed BBeM at a rally in Bukidnon. Alam na naman natin ito pero ito lantad at garapalan na. It’s time for the Leni-Kiko tandem to drop him from its official Senate slate. #DropZubiri
— For The Defense (@Lawyer_Punk) April 1, 2022
Oportunistang Trapo https://t.co/U9JDkRHEVx
— Niccolò 💕💗🌸 (@niccolocosme) April 1, 2022
Nung una I'm giving benefit of the doubt eh, pero now na hayagan na nyang inendorse si magnanakaw, #DropZubiri na please https://t.co/6z1VYmTxuj
— Ron Mia (@rojan88) April 1, 2022
Robredo earlier shot down any speculations that Neri Colmenares will replace Zubiri in her senate slate but including the activist may be the right decision.
https://twitter.com/KasamaGalera/status/1509887324481490952?s=20&t=gwRpBFujBMEDaxfiTvJUSw
https://twitter.com/baldwenn/status/1509903254074789897?s=20&t=gwRpBFujBMEDaxfiTvJUSw
Governor Zubiri supported Robredo in 2016, and she ultimately won in Bukidnon.
“The vice presidency and presidency are two different things. It was different then and now. The BPP members looked at the winnability of the candidates. The province will be provided with financial and project privileges if we pick and support a winner in the presidential race,” Beltran said.
