Presidential campaign highlights of the week: Feb. 8 to 12, 2022
MANILA, Philippines – Here are some of the highlights of the week since the official presidential campaign began last Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Leody de Guzman #2
■ Feb. 8 – Held proclamation rally with running mate, former Rep. Walden Bello, at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, getting there on a caravan with his supporters that started from De Guzman’s home in Cainta, Rizal.- Rally pushed through despite lack of permit from the Commission on Elections, where one official called him out for the apparent “violation”; permit originally applied for was for Amoranto Stadium; said he and his organizers were ready to face the consequences
■ Feb. 9 – Appeared with Bello at the weekly Pandesal Forum also in Quezon City, where they both expounded on their socioeconomic, political, labor and environmental platforms.
■ Feb. 12 – Met the press at the weekly Annabels Media Forum also in Quezon City; talk mostly centered on need for a government that will prioritize the working class.
Key message:“(My administration) will prioritize people over profits.” (Feb. 8 proclamation rally speech)
—JEROME ANING
Isko Moreno Domagoso #3
■ Feb. 8 – Launched the Aksyon Demokratiko campaign by attending Mass at Sto. Niño Parish Church in Tondo, Manila, followed by “blue wave caravan” around the city with running mate Dr. Willie Ong, senatorial candidates Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison.
– Held proclamation rally at Kartilya ng Katipunan shrine beside City Hall.
– Received support from former Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, now PDP-Laban senatorial candidate and president of Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee.- Accepted endorsements from House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia, who appeared on stage, and from Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who sent a recorded video message.
■ Feb. 9 – Paid courtesy call on Rodriguez, Rizal, Mayor Dennis Hernandez, who threw his support behind Domagoso after previously backing Sen. Christopher Bong Go.
■ Feb. 10 – Led the distribution of cash and food assistance to Manila residents at San Andres sports complex.
– Went on a 12-hour motorcade covering several towns in the fourth district of Laguna, from 10 a.m. in Sta .Maria to 9:30 p.m. in Pila.
■ Feb. 11 – Motorcade in the cities of Navotas and Malabon with Ong and the three Aksyon senatorial candidates.
■ Feb. 12 – Motorcade around Quezon City.
Key message:
“We already gave them the chance. My question to you, my countrymen, after 39 years: how are you all doing?” (Feb. 8 proclamation rally speech)
—DJ Yap
Ping Lacson #5
■ Feb. 8 – Heard Mass at Imus Cathedral in Cavite, with running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III and some of their senatorial candidates- Held proclamation rally at Imus Grandstand with Reporma senatorial ticket: former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario, former PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar and Dr. Minguita Padilla; guest candidates former Sen. Juan Victor Ejercito and former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
– Represented by proxies were reelectionist Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian, and former Sen. Gringo Honasan; guest candidates Sen. Richard Gordon, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda and Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero sent video messages.
■ Feb. 9 – In Quezon City, made courtesy call on Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.- Held second proclamation rally at Quezon City Memorial Circle.
■ Feb. 10 – Announced that Gatchalian and ex-Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista were dropped as guest senatorial candidates for endorsing rival presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
■ Feb. 11 – Kicked off Mindanao sorties with rally in Panabo, Davao del Norte; received endorsement of Gov. Edwin Jubahib and ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
– Met with Tagum Bishop Medil Aseo, before rally at Tagum Epark.
■ Feb. 12 – Held two Davao de Oro rallies, in Mawab and Monkayo towns.
Key message:“What do you think is the No. 1 problem of our country? It’s the government. And the solution lies in the face of the problem itself. It is called government, good government.’’ (Feb. 8 proclamation rally speech)
—MELVIN GASCON
Bongbong Marcos #7
■ Feb. 7 – Held a motorcade in Bulacan province; in Baluiag town, met with officers and members of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
■ Feb. 8 – Kicked off his campaign with a proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena with running mate Sara Duterte; joined by senatorial candidates Harry Roque, Larry Gadon, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Migz Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, Herbert Bautista, Mark Villar and Gilbert Teodoro.- Highlight: a rock band plays a “modernized” version of the martial law anthem “Bagong Pagsilang.”
■ Feb. 10 – Joined a rally in Valenzuela City hosted by the ruling Gatchalians, who declared their full support for the Marcos-Duterte team.
(It was also on this day that the Commission on Elections dismissed three more petitions filed by martial law victims seeking his disqualification from the presidential race.)
■ Feb. 11 – Held a motorcade around Cavite province with Gov. Jonvic Remulla, who promised him more than 800,000 votes from the province.
■ Feb. 12 – Returned to Cavite province, this time for a motorcade in Silang town
– Attended a prayer rally of the charismatic Catholic group El Shaddai in Parañaque City, where televangelist Bro. Mike Velarde raised his hand and introduced him as “our presidential candidate.” Key message:“Unity has been my advocacy because I believe that unity is the first step to survive this crisis, this pandemic, and this economic crisis brought about by the pandemic.” (Feb. 8 proclamation rally speech)
—LEILA B. SALAVERRIA
Manny Pacquiao #9
■ Feb. 8 – Launched presidential campaign in hometown of General Santos City; his running mate, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, was unable to join him because of a sprained ankle.
– Among Pacquiao’s senatorial lineup, only Eastern Samar Gov. Lutgardo Barbo and broadcaster Raffy Tulfo were present at the proclamation rally.
■ Feb. 9 – Visited Pacman Village in Alabel, Sarangani, which is a housing project for victims of the 2013 Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan); accompanied by Barbo and Tulfo.
■ Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 – Canceled scheduled consultations and community forums with jeepney drivers, vendors, barangay health workers and other sectors that were supposed to be held in Makati City, Manila, San Juan City and Mandaluyong City.
– Met with some congressmen (names and number not disclosed by campaign team) for a closed-door meeting on Feb. 11 in General Santos City
Key message:
“If you want real change—those who are jobless, don’t have their own homes, those who have not attained justice—join me in my fight. For my fight is the fight of every Filipino. I will bring you to the championship that I aspire for, because that is the heart of a Manny Pacquiao … I will make sure that every Filipino will win in this fight of Manny Pacquiao. I will make sure that no one is aggrieved. I will make sure that there will be no family without their own home because I have been doing that even before.”
—JULIE M. AURELIO
Leni Robredo #10
■ Feb. 8 – Kickstarted campaign in hometown Naga City, Camarines Sur, with running mate Kiko Pangilinan, senatorial candidates Teddy Baguilat, Chel Diokno, Risa Hontiveros, Alex Lacson, Sonny Matula, Antonio Trillanes IV
– Guest candidate Dick Gordon joins sortie
– Whistlestops: Lupi, Libmanan, Tigaon towns and Iriga City in CamSur; proclamation rally at Plaza Quezon, Naga City
– Received statement of support from local Anduyog party of the Andayas, who seek to regain power from the Villafuertes
■ Feb. 9 – Covered Sorsogon; endorsed by 11 of the 15 mayors of the province
– Endorsed by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda (who also endorsed Sara Duterte for VP)
■ Feb. 11 – Calabarzon trips launched in Batangas; whistlestops in Balayan, Lipa, Tanauan
■ Feb. 12 – Whistlestops in Laguna: San Pablo Cathedral, Laguna Old Capitol Building, Cabuyao, Biñan; met with women and labor groups
– Endorsed by Calauan Rep. Sol Aragones (a Liberal Party colleague in 16th Congress); also met Mayor Mayor Buenafrido Berris, Vice Mayor Chesska Hernandez
– Meet-and-greet with Rev. Msgr. Jerry Bitoon of San Pablo Cathedral, San Pablo Mayor Loreto Amante, Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Vice Gov. Karen Agapay, Laguna provincial council heads
Key message:
“We will put the government in slippers. The marginalized will be at the center of our governance.’’ (Feb. 8 proclamation rally speech)
—KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
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