UNITED FOR BONGBONG MARCOS. Some of the members of the Basta Bol-anon Marcos (BBM) movement and the provincial chapter of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) flash the iconic “V” sign as they proudly express their support to the presidential aspirations of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. From left, standing are: Antonio O. Cagud, Jr., Alex C. Lagumbay, Heidi Jane Halasan, Ervie S. Visarra, Jezreel Abarquez, Abraham Bigno, Louniel Kenneth, Marco Sarigumba, Reuben Pontanosas, Gerry Bolotaolo, Blue Mark Sepe, Collin Jubac, and Lina Dohig. From left seated are Lailette Boiser, Roselle A. Sitoy, El Ritte A. Paluga, Cylwin Bomediano (BBM Chairman), Dr. Jessie T. Paluga (party president of PFP), Angie Vidas – Hoffman (BBM vice president), Christian Francis Barrete (BBM secretary general), Zenia Bayonas. The photo was taken during the official presentation of the members of the core group of Basta Bol-anon Marcos (BBM) movement, duly recognized as the volunteer arm of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
The Basta Bol-anon Marcos (BBM) movement, a group of volunteers dedicated to support the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., gets recognized as the legitimate partner of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
The PFP is the political party of former senator Marcos who is running for president in the next elections.
In an event in a restaurant in barangay Mansasa, on Nov. 6, 2021, the movement was recognized by the party as its external wing.
The recognition of the BBM movement helps in curbing unscrupulous people from taking advantage of Bongbong Marcos’ popularity. The recognition affirms the BBM movement’s status as the only volunteer group in Bohol affiliated with the camp of Bongbong Marcos.
Sources say that there are people who roam around using Bongbong Marcos’ name to solicit fees to become a member of a group affiliated with Bongbong Marcos.
These groups who are asking for fees, according to sources, are not affiliated with the Bongbong Marcos camp.
The Bohol Tribune team was on hand as the only media entity given the privilege to shoot questions about the party and the presidential aspirations of Marcos.
The Bohol Tribune team was headed by its managing editor Ardy Araneta-Batoy, legal counsel Greg Austral, columnist Gloria Leodivica Araneta and associate editor Dave Albarado.
The entire event was broadcast via live streaming over the Facebook account of Araneta-Batoy.
PFM Bohol chapter president Dr. Jessie Paluga described the BBM movement as the “backbone volunteer group” of the political party in Bohol.
Paluga was the one who inducted the officers of the BBM movement as he presented the certificate of appointment to the BBM movement as the volunteer group of the Marcos-led party in Bohol.
According to Paluga, the BBM movement shall assist the party in activities in Bohol and support the pursuit of the peace process and economic prosperity of the country.
The PFP is headed by its national chairman who is Marcos. The party’s national president is Reynaldo Tamayo. The regional chairman is Carlitos Ceneza. The party’s secretary-general is retired Gen. Thompson Lantion.
Lantion joined the activity via phone patch as he gave a brief description of the party.
However, due to poor connection, the engagement with Lantion was cut short with the members of The Bohol Tribune unable to shoot questions to the party executive.
Paluga administered the oath taking of the officers of the BBM movement. The officers are Cylwin Bomediano, who is the movement’s chairman, Angeline Hoffman, the vice-chairman, Christian Francis Barrette, who is the secretary-general, Reuben Pontanosas, who is the BBM movement’s operation head/vice president, and some members Mark Paul Sepe, Gerry Bolotaolo, Rona Boyonas, Jesryl Abarquez, Marco Sarigumba and Rodolfo Marcos.
THE MEDIA ENGAGEMENT
Paluga answered almost all of the questions thrown by the media interactors from The Bohol Tribune.
He answered questions about Marcos’ candidacy and the party itself.
Paluga said that the party is pushing for the change of the form of government to a federal form. However, the task of changing the country’s form of government is something the members of Congress should be working.
Paluga, who is running unopposed as vice mayor of Dimiao town, said that Marcos is pushing for the country to “move on” and to push for national unity as the strategy for economic prosperity and to reverse the impact of the pandemic.
Paluga also reiterated the position of party lawyers on the case seeking to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Marcos for president. He said that the lawyers are confident that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will favor Marcos. Paluga went on to state that the party expected negative ploys against Marcos, which is the staple in the country’s political landscape.
As for the question of who is Marcos’ running mate, Paluga said that the answer to the question will come on Nov. 15, 2022, the last day allowed by law for the Comelec to accept substitutions.
Moreover, Paluga said that the younger Bongbong Marcos should not be judged by what the elder Marcos, his father, allegedly did. Opponents of Marcos are using the alleged atrocities of the former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as the basis for the black propaganda against Bongbong.
Moreover, Bomediano, the movement’s chairman, was asked about his involvement with the group. He said he attended the meeting of Marcos supporters without an inkling that the members would choose him to lead the group. At first, he was hesitant given that he is a busy businessman. But eventually, his passion to help the aspirations of Marcos prevailed as he took on the challenge to lead the BBM movement.