Marcos-Duterte in 2016: Is the Solid North and Solid South a Winning Tandem?

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte has been traveling the whole country recently promoting his “Federalism” initiative. Although he still did not declare that he will run for president, the number of people who believe his initiative is rapidly growing across the country and even abroad.

Duterte reiterated that he has no plan to run for a national position, but the people, especially his supporters are pushing him to do so. The political climate around him has been changing as the 2016 presidential election is getting closer.

Duterte is known to have an iron fist transforming Davao City into 9^th safest city in the world according to the latest world ranking. Many believe that one reason why Duterte is holding back his declaration to run for president is the absence of qualified running mate. Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, another strongman commented that he and mayor Duterte will be too much to handle if the two of them decide to run together. “Baka masunog kami”, Lacson said earlier.

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., considered as the leader of “Solid North” recently appeared as guest of Duterte’s “Gikan sa Masa (From the People)” local weekly television program, sparking speculation that the two are teaming-up for the May 2016 elections. Both are strong advocate of federalism.

Marcos declared in the TV program that he admired and idolized Duterte for his efforts.

“I just follow Mayor Duterte. He is my mentor when it comes to politics,” Marcos said.

He said he has been a fan of the tough-talking mayor for a long time.

However, Duterte shrugged off insinuations of his reported running in tandem with Marcos or any other politician in 2016.

“I still stand by my position that I am not seeking any national office in next year’s elections, much more the presidency,” Duterte said.

He added that he is already 70 years old and not in good physical condition for a presidential candidate.

Duterte also said he has no money to run a nationwide campaign for the highest office in the land.

He even joked that he is not at par with Marcos. “I don’t even know if I could be the presidential candidate or him (Marcos),” he said.

Marcos, for his part, replied he would leave speculations on his political plans to others but stressed his options will always be open.

Duterte has been reportedly observing the result of national surveys and monitoring his ranking. “I will run for president if I beat Binay on survey,” the Mayor joked earlier.

Solid North and Solid South

Regardless of who (Marcos and Duterte) will run for president and vice president, analysts said that the possibility of winning is very high.

Marcos is the highly favored candidate by more than 11 million Ilokano-speaking people from Northern Luzon ,and more than 3 million Waray people from Eastern Visayas (Rumualdez territories). Marcos is considered leader of the Solid North political group in Northern Luzon.

On the other hand, Duterte is extremely popular among 25 million Cebuano-speaking people in Visayas and Mindanao. Aside from likely dominating the Cebuano world, the 9 million Hiligaynon/Ilonggo speaking people from Western Visayas and Western Mindanao will highly likely to support him. Duterte is considered a real candidate from the Solid South.

With more than 45 million likely solid supporters under the two candidates, the possibility of taking over the Malacañan palace in the coming 2016 presidential election is very high.

Although Mar Roxa’s roots are from Western Visayas, people from this region, especially the newly-created Negros Island Region (NIR) where 40% speaks Cebuano are tired of redundant politicians.

/Lily Lopez/

Source: Philstar

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