Pacquiao-Atienza tandem kicks off campaign in General Santos City

MANILA, Philippines — The presidential and vice-presidential bids of Manny Pacquiao and Lito Atienza were launched in General Santos City on Tuesday, the official start of the campaign period for aspirants vying for national posts in the polls this May.

However, Atienza was not able to attend the proclamation event in person due to injury. He would instead deliver his speech via Zoom.

The proclamation rally that started around 5 p.m. was held at the Oval Plaza of Pacquiao’s hometown. Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee and mother Dionisia joined him during the event, which would also launch the official political campaign of his party, Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI).

READ: Pacquiao sets hometown GenSan as kick-off point of pol campaign

The tandem is likewise expected to introduce during the activity their senatorial line-up which includes Jejomar Binay, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Richard Gordon, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Neri Colmenares, Elmer Labog, Lutgardo Barbo, and Raffy Tulfo.

Barbo and Tulfo joined Pacquiao and Atienza during the proclamation rally, which followed a motorcade led by the tandem around General Santos City.

According to Pacquiao’s camp, around 580 vehicles carrying supporters from Sarangani, Maguindanao, and South Cotabato joined the caravan.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pacquiao’s family prayed together to mark the start of the senator’s presidential campaign.

LOOK: Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao and his family prays together as campaign period for the 2022 elections starts. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/YQVseEKRV0

— Daphne Galvez (@daphnegalvez_) February 8, 2022

According to the Commission on Elections, General Santos City has more than 350,000 registered voters.

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KGA