BY JP LOPEZ

LAOAG CITY – Six senatorial candidates from the Genuine Opposition (GO) are sure to get the endorsement of Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., a source said Wednesday.

The source identified only four. They are Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero and Manuel Villar.

He said Alan Peter Cayetano is also likely to get Marcos’ nod. He did not name the sixth GO candidate.

Marcos, in a press conference with GO senatorial candidates at the provincial capitol, said his family is not about to endorse candidates from either the administration or opposition ticket.

"We are constrained by the rules of the (election) campaign," he said.

Local officials are barred from campaigning and also from endorsing national candidates until after March 29, the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies for local elective posts.

Marcos said they could only "welcome the GO candidates" so that his province mates "would know their plans for the future."

"We wish them good luck," Marcos said.

After the press conference Marcos raised the hands of Legarda and John Osmeña.

Marcos said he was not surprised by the absence of GO candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

"We have not actually occupied the same side of the political spectrum. Unless he has a dramatic shift in his thinking, then we continue to disagree," he said.

Aquino, in a phone interview, said he decided against going to Ilocos Norte. "Baka makasama lang," he said.

Osmeña said he felt uneasy. "Ang Osmeña hindi ibinibilang na kaibigan dito," he said.

Sergio Osmeña Jr., a former senator and father of Sen. Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, ran against Ferdinand Marcos in 1969.

John Osmeña said ending old rivalries was the reason he shelved plans of going to Zamboanga de Sur and del Norte and went instead to Ilocos Norte.

Manuel Villar said he predicts that Ilocos will go for the opposition. "Ilocos will confirm that this is an opposition year," he said.

Lito Gorospe, the governor’s media consultant, said traditionally Ilocanos vote for who their governor endorses. "It has been called the ‘Solid North’ and Ilocos Norte would remain the same."

He said the welcome was lukewarm when TU candidates Oreta, Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Vic Magsaysay visited Batac last week.

"Governor Bongbong was very civil and welcomed them. The candidates even went to the Marcos mausoleum. But that was that. Very different when GO candidates are here now," Gorospe said.

GO candidates were scheduled to hold a rally in front of the capitol building last night.

Those who confirmed their attendance were Legarda, Osmeña, Lacson, Villar and Nikki Coseteng – With Dennis Gadil