VICTORY IS AT HAND - BONGBONG, MIRIAM
Miriam and Bongbong Hold Street Party With Youth Army to Cap Campaign

Shunning the traditional miting de avance, Vice Presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. and his Presidential running mate Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago joined their youth army in a street party in Quezon City as their final campaign push before the May 9 elections.

With the loyal support of the youth sector, Marcos and Santiago expressed confidence in clinching the victory on Monday's polls but they warned their supporters too to guard their votes to ensure that the true will of the people will be reflected in the results of the elections.

The tandem said the Administration's recent moves show it is panicking with the imminent loss of their bets as they also accused the government of using money to buy votes to ensure their rallies are well-attended.

"Ilang araw na lamang panalo na tayo, huwag kayong makikinig sa mga sinasabi ng ating mga kalaban. Mga desperado na yan, kung ano ano ang ginagawa, nagpapatulong na sa mga ibang kandidato. Alam na nila walang pag-asa dahil nandito sa harap natin ang pag-asa," Marcos declared, referring to Santiago.

With this remark, the largely youth crowd erupted in wild applause and cheers of "Miriam, Miriam na; Bongbong, Bongbong pa!"

Marcos said the enthusiastic response they got everywhere they went during the campaign is proof that the people welcome their message of putting excellence back in government, unifying the nation, advocating that the needs of the country should go first before self and adhering that national interest should be paramount to partisan politics.

"It has been my privilege, great honor and extreme personal pleasure to have run this campaign together with your idol, and my idol too," Marcos enthused, a comment that sparked anew a frenzy of applause from the youth army and cheers of "BBM, BBM!".

"Sana ipagpatuloy ninyo ang suporta na ipinakita ninyo dito sa nakaraang kampanya, bantayan ang boto at tiyak na lalabas ang tunay na ninanais ng Sambayanang Pilipino," Marcos added.

For her part, Santiago began with her trademark pickup lines, such as: "Peanut ka ba? Pinatibok mo kasi ang puso ko." Turning serious, Santiago said her heart overflows with joy, love and gratitude as she stood before her loyal supporters.

"I am surrounded by familiar faces, and faces of those who inspired me to run for President, those who gave me a reason to keep fighting, and those who can, and who will change the course of this nation," Santiago elatedly expressed.

"You represent 20 million young voters, or 40 percent of the total 54 million voters on May 9. United, our numbers are enough to bring us to Malacanang," she added.

Santiago said that unlike the miting de avance of their rivals, citing in particular the Administration's rally held in the Quezon City Circle, those who joined the street party came to show genuine support and were not paid to attend.

"Dumaan ako doon, kitang kita ng dalawang mata ko, mga babaeng katao na may hawak-hawak na envelope. Wala tayong envelope ngayong gabi, pero pagkatapos ng anim na taon sobra pa sa envelope," said Santiago.

In an ambush interview after the street party Marcos debunked rumors that Santiago is quitting the Presidential race.

"It's that time where we hear all kinds of crazy rumors. Clearly Miriam is not backing down, nor am I," Marcos stressed.

Thanking their supporters for all the display of affection and loyalty, Marcos said, "nakita naman natin na ang pagmamahal sa ating kandidato bilang Pangulo ay napakainit at napaka-tapat kayat sa Lunes makikita natin yung hindi nabibilang sa surveys."