These political tandems are touching grassroots on the first day of the campaign period.
The official campaign period for candidates running for national positions in the 2022 Philippine elections commenced on February 8.
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In the country’s first pandemic-time elections, there are 10 presidential candidates, nine vice presidential candidates, 64 senatorial candidates, and 177 party-list groups competing for seats.
Most of the standard-bearers and their running mates decided to hold proclamation rallies in their hometowns and known bailiwicks during the first evening of the campaign period.
Here’s how the first official campaign events of leading tandems went, according to the internet, which watched closely from the sidelines.
Visiting UniTeam
The tandem of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio did not campaign on the first day at Ilocos or Davao. Rather, they spent it at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Marcos was singled out by both his supporters and critics for being the only leading presidentiable to hold a proclamation rally without “home-field advantage.”
Some say this was proof of the presidential aspirant’s courage. Others say it was only strategic since the Philippine Arena is the world’s largest arena and he simply wanted to maximize attendance.
The media reported that only 25,000 guests were allowed inside the arena with a maximum seating capacity of 55,000.
Critics, however, suggested that Marcos’ campaigning outside the Ilocos Region is a sign that “Solid North” no longer existed.
On opposite ends of the spectrum, #UNiTeamBBMSARA and #PulaAngKulayNgMagnanakaw trended for and against the tandem’s cause.
A viral moment along the way was a spectator shouting “magnanakaw” (thief) repeatedly as Marcos allegedly passed by.
Roses All The Way
Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan chose Naga to host their proclamation rally.
Robredo’s first day of campaigning saw the most visible support from celebrities and influencers.
Many of whom changed their profile pictures or backgrounds to pink and included Robredo’s trending hashtags #KulayRosasAngBukas and #AngatBuhayLahat.
Her proclamation rally was a star-studded affair with Cherry Pie Picache as host.
Featured celebrities who have thrown support for Robredo include Iza Calzado, Jolina Magdangal, Gary Valenciano, Nikki Valdez, Rita Avila, and Rivermaya, among others.
Outside Camarines Sur, pro-Leni caravans during the first day of the campaign period have also gained traction on social media.
Proxy Server
Both the proclamation rallies of the Ping Lacson-Vicente Sotto III tandem in Cavite and the Manny Pacquiao-Lito Atienza tandem in General Santos saw proxies attend on behalf of other politicians.
Reelectionist Senator Win Gatchalian, for instance, had joined the Marcos-Duterte event in Bulacan. He was instead represented by his partner, beauty queen-turned-actress Bianca Manalo, and brother, Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian, at the respective proclamation rallies of Lacson and Pacquiao.
Netizens observed that only Raffy Tulfo and Lutgardo Barbo were present among Pacquiao’s senatorial slate, which included Jejomar Binay, JV Ejercito, and Chiz Escudero.
Senatorial candidates who couldn’t attend proclamation rallies personally had to rely on proxies or prerecorded videos to represent them instead.
This was usually because they were part of multiple senatorial slates or campaigned separately.
Banner Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash
