HIGIT pang lalakas ang kandidatura nina Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., at running-mate na si Inday Sara Duterte matapos mag-desisyong tumayo bilang national campaign manager ng UniTeam si Chairman Benhur Abalos kasunod ng pagbibitiw nito sa Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Una nang nagpasalamat si Abalos sa lahat ng suporta, patnubay at lideratong ibinigay sa kanya ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, subalit kanyang ipinaliwanag na kinakailangan na niyang magbitiw sa tungkulin sa nasabing ahensiya upang matutukan ng mabuti ang kampanya ng BBM-Sara UniTeam.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Filipino people as MMDA Chairman. The past year was filled with intense challenges … Thus, with utmost gratitude, I respectfully tender my resignation,” he said.

“The campaign period is fast approaching, and I am duty-bound to devote my time and energy to Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ campaign as his national campaign manager,” ani Abalos sa ipinadalang resignation letter kay Pangulong Duterte.

Para sa UniTeam, malaking tulong ang pagsama sa kanila ni Abalos bilang national campaign manager dahil sa talino, husay, galing at karanasan nito bilang local chief executive.

“His sensible and wise leadership experience would play a big factor in leading the UniTeam to its desired victory which consequently would be a win for the Filipino people,” anang UniTeam.

Sinabi ni Abalos na ngayong nag-resign na siya bilang MMDA chair, makatututok na siya ng husto sa kampanya para sa UniTeam.

“I decided to join the BBM-Sara UniTeam because I genuinely believe in the unifying leadership espoused by our presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. It’s what we really need, especially that we are emerging from a pandemic,” sabi ni Abalos.

“I have known Bongbong for a long time, and I know that he has the experience and the capability to make things better for our country. Among the presidential aspirants, I find his unifying message as sincere and necessary in leading the country towards the road to progress and sustainable development,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

Si Abalos ay dati na ring nagsilbi bilang campaign manager sa National Capital Region (NCR) nang tumakbo bilang bise-presidente ng bansa si Marcos noong nakalipas na 2016 elections.

Sa mahigit isang taong panunungkulan bilang MMDA chair, si Abalos ay pinasalamatan at binigyang pugay ng Metro Manila mayors dahil sa maayos na pamamalakad nito sa kasagsagan ng pananalanta ng pandemya.

Partikular sa kahanga-hangang ginawa nito ay ang maayos na pagpapatupad sa health protocols, gayundin ang rollout sa vaccination program ng pamahalaan.

“Mabait, magaling at mapagpakumbaba. Iyan ang Bongbong Marcos na nakilala ko noon pa man at ang mga katangiang ito ay siyang kailangan natin para tuluyang mapagkaisa ang bansa,” dagdag pa ni Abalos.