Supporters of former Sen. Bongbong Marcos on Tuesday celebrated his lead in the partial and unofficial count for the presidential race in the May 9 elections.
Clad in red, supporters trooped to the presidential candidate's headquarters in Mandaluyong City as he heads to a landslide win, with over 30 million voters in the unofficial count as of Tuesday morning.
Motorists blew their horns as they passed by the headquarters along EDSA in support of the pro-Marcos crowd.
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"Ito ang simula ng pagganda ng bansa natin," said Joshua, 50, who is leading Marcos supporters in their chants.
"Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga kababayan namin na nakipagkaisa kay Bongbong Marcos at kay Sara Duterte dahil ipinakita ninyo ang inyong talino at ang talinong ito ay ngayon ay malalasap na natin. Salamat dahil ang inyong anak at inyong apo ngayon ay hindi na makakaranas ng hirap," he added.
Siblings John Mark, 20, and Clarisse, 14, accompanied their 54-year-old deaf mother Praxedes at Marcos' headquarters. They said that love for family should reign over one's political belief.
"Wala kaming toxic sa katawan na hindi namin gagalangin yung mother namin because she is for BBM," John Mark, a first-time voter, told reportr.
"BBM supporter siya at kinuwento niya sa amin yung naranasan niya sa martial law. Wala namang masamang nangyari sa kanya, doon na lang tayo maniniwala," he added.
For Clarisse, people should learn how to respect one's political choices. After all, Filipinos only have each other once the elections are over, she added.
"Kahit hindi tayo botante, may opinion pa rin tayo. Kasi yung ibang kaibigan ko Leni, ako BBM. Sabi ko sa kanila, kahit BBM ako, magkakaibigan pa rin tayo, kasi Pinoy tayong lahat. Kailangan pa rin natin magtulungan," she told reportr.
"Okay lang naman kahit hindi manalo si BBM or hindi manalo si Leni kasi tayong mga Pinoy din ang magtutulungan sa huli. Hindi lang naman kasi puro away, kailangan din natin magtulungan," she added.
Clarisse said that while Marcos has been frequently receiving criticisms from his detractors, his family should be spared from them.
"Huwag na yung sa pamilya niya kasi masakit din po, kasi may pamilya ka, kailangan protektahan mo rin. Kung ano yung sabihin nila, okay lang kaso huwag na sa pamilya kasi masakit. Kahit na ganyan si BBM, may mga struggles siya na hindi niya sinasabi," she said.
What's next for Marcos supporters? John Mark said they would now hold a "victory party."
"Magvi-victory party at magkakaisa ulit ang mga Pilipino at isisigaw ulit ang pula at berde," he said.
Aside from Marcos, his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also leads in the vice presidential race, with over 31 million voters in the unofficial count as of Tuesday morning.
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