Presidential campaign: Week 5 recap

SIX PRESIDENTIAL BETS (left to right, starting on top): Vice President Leni Robredo, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (FILE PHOTOS)

MANILA, Philippines — Here are s some of the highlights of Week 5 of the presidential campaign, which started on Feb. 8.

Leody de Guzman #2

■ March 6 – Issued statement on his youth agenda, including establishment of Universal Students’ Magna Carta

■ March 7 – No public activity

■ March 8 – Attended International Women’s Day progam led by Oriang Women’s Movement at Quezon City Hall;- Recorded interview for PCCO Paliwanag town hall meeting, another with Netherlands-based blogger Sass Rogando Sasot

– Assailed lack of transparency in appointment new Comelec chair and commissioners, described designation of new COA and CSC chairs as “midnight appointments”

■ March 9 – Recorded interview for “Kandidatalks” TV show, spoke on economic platform

■ March 10 – Appeared at Pandesal Forum in Quezon City; interviewed online at “EKONomustahan” program of the NGO Ekonsepto- Recorded interview with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa

■ March 11 – Launched Mindanao sorties in Ozamis City and Misamis Occidental towns.

■ March 12 – Still in Misamis Occidental, met with fisherfolk in Tangub City, women’s group in Tudela, LGBTQIAs in Sinacaban, coconut farmers in Clarin, seniors in Oroquieta City

– Met with Ozamis NGO Gitib; guested at online forum held by Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong CityKey message: “Caravans or motorcades are wasteful and more intended to create a bandwagon effect for moneyed candidates. They don’t raise the level of election-related discourse. I agree that these activities should be prohibited.” (March 8 statement)

—JEROME ANING

Isko Moreno Domagoso #3

■ March 7 – Back at Manila City Hall for International Women’s Day; inspected city’s food subsidy program at San Andres Sports Complex- His party Aksyon Demokratiko, through chair Ernest Ramel, wrote letter pressing Bureau of Internal Revenue to renew its demand for Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other Marcos heirs to settle some P200 billion in tax obligations.

■ March 8 – Barnstormed “Aquino country” Tarlac; warmly received by Gov. Susan Yap, but no endorsement.- First campaign rally in Central Luzon at Central Mercato, with live band and performers, but venue only half-filled.

■ March 9 – Was interviewed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

– In San Juan City, President Duterte’s supporters launched movement backing Domagoso’s unofficial pairing with Sara Duterte; Aksyon disowned the event but welcomed the support for Domagoso.

■ March 10 – Held sorties in Nueva Ecija, where his supporters launched “Iskosina” and handed out bowls of “lugaw” (rice porridge) to people.

■ March 11 – Continued stumping in Nueva Ecija; took a swipe at Vice President Leni Robredo’s use of the term “laylayan” (fringes) to refer to the poor, and poked fun at Marcos who was said to have been inspired by the Marvel character Ant-Man, a thief-turned-superhero.Key message: “The reason you call us ‘fringes’ is because you’re looking down on us … which means you consider yourself as being above us.” (March 11 press conference)

—DJ YAP

Ping Lacson #5

■ March 9 – Campaigned in Pasig City where the mayor, Vico Sotto, is a nephew of running mate, Sen. Tito Sotto

– After courtesy call on local officials, went on a ferry ride down Pasig River, then proceeded to city’s Mega Market for a town hall meeting; pledged to “recalibrate the national budget” to raise the basic pay of government-employed nurses and teachers

■ March 10 – In Parañaque City, paid courtesy call on Mayor Edwin Olivarez; met with other local leaders, including Parañaque Vice Mayor Jose Enrico Golez and Councilor Vandolph Quizon

– Held a town hall meeting with various sectors at Barangay Baclaran Central Elementary School

■ March 11 – Started stumping in Zambales, met with officials of Castillejos town led by Mayor Eleanor Dominguez and held townhall meeting with barangay officers, tricycle drivers and Muslim vendors

– Toured Olongapo City, met with local officials led by Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., as well as Aeta chieftains

■ March 12 – Barnstormed Pampanga, pressed flesh at Porac public market before meeting with meat industry workers and vendors, tricycle operators and drivers, and Muslim and Aeta communities

– Held dialogue with local officials and sectoral representatives in Pulung Cacutud, Angeles City.

Key message: “If we are to choose someone to lead our country on May 9, (our choice) must not be involved in corruption or surrounded by the corrupt … Because if [a candidate] is associated with the crooked, he’ll also become a crook in the long run.” (March 9 speech in Pasig)

—MELVIN GASCON

Bongbong Marcos #7

■ March 8 – Held three rallies—Meycauayan, Sta. Maria, Bocaue—in vote-rich Bulacan; members of the crowd reported losing phones and wallets to theft

– Courtesy call on Jesus Christ The Deliverer Church in Guiguinto, where Bishop Ted Malangen called Marcos “next President’’- DzRJ aired interview where he discussed abolition of the PCGG, martial law declaration, industrialization, problems of the agriculture sector, rising food prices, etc.

■ March 9 – Back to “Solid North” to stump in Kalinga and Abra; received support of Abra representatives Maria Jocelyn Bernos and Joseph Bernos

– TV/online host Boy Abunda aired interview with Marcos’ wife, Liza, and son Vinny; she reveals that Marcos decided to run as they were watching “Ant-Man,” the Marvel movie about a thief-turned-superhero.

■ March 10 – No schedule released, but team issued statement touting support from Bishops Malangen and Leopoldo Jaucian of Diocese of Bangued; days prior, camp asked Catholic clergy to stop “meddling” in politics.

■ March 11 – Rally at Sta. Cruz, Laguna, capitol, where Gov. Ramil Hernandez introduced him as “President”

– Went around Biñan before rally in Sta. Rosa; joined by Mayor Arlene Arcillas.

■ March 12 – Grand rally in Parañaque canceled due to heavy rain.

Key message: “The system has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that we have to import rice … basic commodities and [even] galunggong. I think that describes the terrible state that we have allowed our agriculture to come into.’’ (March 8 interview on dzRJ)

—LEILA SALAVERRIA

Manny Pacquiao #9

■ March 6 – Held motorcades in Navotas and Malabon cities

■ March 7 – No scheduled public activity, but issued statement criticizing Department of Energy for supposedly lacking foresight to avert fuel crisis amid soaring prices

■ March 8 – In Pampanga, held dialogue with Aetas in Porac town regarding concerns about their ancestral land, farming and education- Dialogue with farmers, tricycle drivers in Candaba- Courtesy calls on local officials in Porac, San Fernando, Candaba in Pampanga, and in neighboring Tarlac

■ March 9 – Motorcade in Tarlac City; courtesy calls on local officials- Attended people’s assembly in Concepcion, Tarlac, and a religious pastor’s gathering in Mabalacat, Pampanga

■ March 10 – Met with officials of his party Promdi, as well as supporters and local candidates in Cebu

■ March 11 – Canceled scheduled activities in Cavite

– Graced assembly of Liga ng mga Barangay at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

■ March 12 – Held motorcades in Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarinas, Cavite; dialogue with agribusinessmen engaged in oyster culture in Bacoor- Graced a religious assembly; capped day with dinner with supporters in Cavite- Promised to allot P400 billion a year for free housing for the poor; reiterated he won’t back out of presidential race

Key message: “I want to issue a statement here regarding reports that I’m backing out. That’s not true. The fight of Manny Pacquiao will continue. Whoever is spreading the rumor that I’m backing out, maybe you are the ones who wish to withdraw. Not me.’’ (March 12 press briefing in Cavite)

—JULIE AURELIO

Leni Robredo #10

■ March 7 – Zoom meeting with Filipino Shipowners Association.

– Covenant signing with women’s groups at Leni-Kiko Volunteer Center in Quezon City.

■ March 8 – Opened Caraga region campaign with Bislig City rally

– Mass hosted by Diocese of Tandag at San Nicolas de Tolentino New Cathedral in Tandag City; unveiled two provincial government projects in Surigao City

– Rally at Tavern Hotel grounds with 5,000 supporters; met with Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog

■ March 9 – Canceled trip to an island fishing barangay, one of the beneficiaries of her Angat Buhay livelihood program, in Surigao City due to heavy rains.- Met with Mayor Kirk Asis and local leaders at Bayugan City Hall; rally at Agusan del Sur College- Visited volunteers in Cabadbaran City; meeting with Butuan Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla

– Sectoral dialogue at Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan; grand rally at Guingona Park, with crowd estimated at 10,000

■ March 10 – Met with women mayors of Romblon at Tugdan Elementary School, Alcantara town

– Dialogue with fishermen in Looc, Romblon; stop at San Lorenzo Ruiz Seminary in Odiongan, followed by rally

■ March 11 – In Negros Occidental, with stops in five cities and two towns

– Wrapped up Negros sortie with Bacolod City grand rally drawing 70,000 people.

■ March 12 – To Isabela and CagayanKey message: “This is not just a campaign for the candidates [but] for our dreams, for those we love.” (March 11 Bacolod rally speech)

—MARLON RAMOS

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