North Cotabato (CNN Philippines) — It’s another warm reception for vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday (March 10) as he first landed in the rubber capital of North Cotabato, Makilala.

Marcos continued to woo voters in Mindanao, but he still has a lot of work to do despite some local officials declaring their support for the Ilocano candidate.

Under the scorching sun, residents of Makilala rushed to meet the vice presidential candidate.

He also got the support of Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan, a Liberal Party (LP) member and an Ilocano.

“Ang pagpili ng partido umaangat ‘yung political awareness ng tao. Tinitingnan talaga nila kung sino ba ang nararapat. It’s not all about party. It’s about ‘yung tumatakbong tao lalo na ‘yung advocacy,” Caoagdan said.

[Translation: “Choosing a party raises the political awareness of people. They really look at who is deserving. It’s not all about the party. It’s about the person who is running, especially the advocacy.”]

Marcos also went to Kidapawan City, which has the most number of registered voters in the province at more than 75,000. He said some officials would support him.

“Many of them have said they agree with my program and understand my call for unity. And because of that they will support me in my candidacy,” he said.

Based on the latest Pulse Asia Survey, in Mindanao, Marcos is slightly behind Sen. Francis Escudero. Both are leading the vice presidential race.

Marcos, however, shrugged it off and said he will continue to campaign with the Mindanaoans.

In Kabacan, where more than half of residents are Ilocanos, a number are supporting Marcos.

Marcos’ main message is unity. He said no matter where you come from, as long as you are a Filipino, he would “love and help” you.

When asked how he would unite the Marcos and Aquino families, he said that after the elections, politics must stop and that the elected official must go back to his duty in helping people.

Also read: Spend as much time in picking your VP too — Sen. Pimentel