Week 7 on presidential campaign trail

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 — Following are some of the highlights and key developments during Week 7 on the presidential campaign trail.

Leody de Guzman #2

■ March 20 – Visited urban poor community in Laong Compound, Las Piñas City, discussed lack of water supply and electricity, Red-tagging

■ March 21 – Flag ceremony at Cainta Municipal Hall, spoke about unequal provincial wage rates, fuel price and power rate hikes; interviewed online by the UP Students for the Exploration and Development of Space in the Philippines

– Appeared at anniversary of Circle of Advocates for Workers in Project 7, Quezon City

■ March 22 – Recorded interview for PTV’s “Chatroom” with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar; started Iloilo campaign with running mate Walden Bello; met with Bukluran ng Progresibong Magbubukid sa Pilipinas leaders in Iloilo City

■ March 23 – Guested at Freedom from Debt Coalition webinar on stagflation; consultations with agri sector and rural workers in Sicogon Island, Carles, Iloilo

■ March 24 – Concluded Iloilo campaign; assailed endorsements by “traditional and elitist” parties, referring to Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), National Unity Party and Partido Reporma.

■ March 25 – Joined Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Election Forum at Ateneo de Manila; Zone One Tondo Organization general assembly and proclamation rally of Glenn Ymata, party’s candidate for Caloocan city council, in Bagong Silang.

Key message: “Among parties which regard principles and platforms as mere decorations to get votes and which decide based on personal and political interests of the politicians and businessmen behind them, these sudden changes in endorsements should not come as a surprise … Let us end this deception.’’ (March 24 statement)

—JEROME ANING

Isko Moreno Domagoso #3

■ March 20 – No public events.

■ March 21 – Barnstormed Quezon province; motorcades, town hall meetings in Lucena City, Candelaria and Tiaong.

■ March 22 – Granted media interviews.

– In Manila, campaign manager Lito Banayo and Aksyon Demokratiko chair Ernest Ramel faced the press and ratcheted up the campaign’s attacks on former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over his family’s tax cases.

■ March 23 – Led ceremonial turnover of newly renovated Universidad de Manila’s Henry Sy Sr. Campus CMIT Building in Manila

– Campaigned in Laguna province, with stops in Sta. Rosa, Biñan and San Pedro.

■ March 24 – Campaigned in Bulacan province, with stops in Pulilan, Hagonoy and Malolos City.

– Expressed sympathy with one of his rivals, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, after the latter’s Partido Reporma shifted its support to Vice President Leni Robredo: “Good for the Filipino people that Senator Lacson is continuing his run. He’s an asset to the country … I feel bad [for him] because we never abandon anyone.”

■ March 25 – Campaigned in Batangas, with stops in San Juan, San Jose, Balete and Lipa City; joined by one of his early supporters, Sen. Ralph Recto; staged grand rally in Lipa with an estimated 65,000 in attendance, his biggest crowd so far.

■ March 26 – Day 2 of Batangas sortie, covered the towns of San Nicolas, Sta. Teresita, Bauan and Sto. Tomas.

Key message: “It’s anyone’s right to jump fences. It’s anyone’s right to change one’s mind. It’s anyone’s right to protect their personal interest. It’s anyone’s right to protect their personal political interest.” (March 25 ambush interview in San Juan, Batangas)

—DJ YAP

Ping Lacson #5

■ March 21- No scheduled public event

■ March 22 – Returned to Nueva Ecija province, visiting Gapan City and Cabanatuan City, held meetings with local officials and dialogue with the local business sector

■ March 23 – Took part in “Kandidatalks” TV interviews with presidential candidates

– Campaigned in North Cotabato, home province of Vice Gov. Manny Piñol, one of Partido Reporma’s senatorial candidates; met with local officials and held town hall meetings in Midsayap and M’lang towns.

■ March 24 – Barnstormed General Santos City and Isulan, capital town of Sultan Kudarat; visited the tuna fish port and held a dialogue with local fisherfolk who in turn presented Lacson and his running mate, Sen. Vicente Sotto III, with their day’s catch as their gift symbolizing their support

– At a press conference, made a surprise announcement that he was resigning from Partido Reporma, which had withdrawn its support from his candidacy and instead endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo.

– Still, Lacson said he would continue to campaign for president as an independent candidate

■ March 25 – Said Partido Reporma’s abrupt decision to dump him was all about campaign funding, disputing the statement of party president Pantaleon Alvarez that it was due to his poor survey numbers

■ March 26 – Pressed flesh in Pasay City, held another town hall meeting with residents

Key message: “Nothing can ever change my principles and tarnish my integrity. This fight is not just about me and the present. It is about our country’s future” (March 26 tweet)

—MELVIN GASCON

Bongbong Marcos #7

■ March 20 – Held motorcade in Navotas and Malabon; ended with rally in Malabon

■ March 21 – Attended Go Negosyo forum where he called himself a victim of fake news and fact-checkers with an agenda; said he would have to prove investors wrong after Bloomberg reported that a number of them are lukewarm to a Marcos presidency and prefer Vice President Leni Robredo to oversee the recovery of the economy.

■ March 22 – Returned to Cavite province where supporter Gov. Jonvic Remulla hosted a massive rally

– PDP-Laban faction affiliated with President Duterte endorsed Marcos for president, saying his platform is most aligned with Mr. Duterte’s development program; he welcomed the support from the party, which was formed in 1982 to oppose his father’s dictatorship

■ March 23 – Held rallies in Tiaong and Lucena in Quezon province. Gov. Danilo Suarez declared his support, but also sought assurance of the return of the coco levy funds to coconut farmers.

■ March 24 – No schedule provided.

– Malacañang confirmed that Mr. Duterte recently held “cordial and productive meeting” with Marcos, without giving a date

■ March 25 – Proclamation rally in Ilocos Norte of son Sandro, who is running for Congress, and of nephew Matthew Manotoc, who is seeking reelection as governor.

■ March 26 – Attended the SMNI forum

Key message: “This new development (PDP-Laban endorsement) will consolidate the forces of unity so that we can continue to work against those who would want to divide Filipinos against each other.” (March 22 statement)

—LEILA B. SALAVERRIA

Manny Pacquiao #9

■ March 20 – Visited his running mate, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, who is recuperating from operation

■ March 21 – Motorcade in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite province, and courtesy calls on local officials of General Mariano Alvarez, Dasmariñas, Silang; gave an inspirational message to newlyweds in Silang; graced people’s assembly at Tagaytay Mahogany Beef Market and another organized by Philippine Councilors’ League – Quezon chapter

– Challenged Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to one-on-one debate

■ March 22 – Campaigned in Sucat, Southville 3 Poblacion, Muntinlupa City; dialogue with seniors

■ March 23 – Motorcade, market tour, rally in Cauayan City, Isabela; called PDP-Laban members who backed Cusi faction’s endorsement of Marcos as “nonthinking, traditional politicians”

■ March 24 – Breakfast with local officials of Isabela province; courtesy calls in Cauayan City; motorcade in Santiago City

■ March 25 – At CBCP forum, stressed need for higher budget for the judiciary and for judicial reforms; supported death penalty, said the country is not yet ready because of inequalities in the system

■ March 26 – Called on Filipinos to pray for the safety of those living near the again-restive Taal Volcano

Key message: “He (Marcos) might be shy because there are many attending. It’s okay with me if we debate, just the two of us. Let’s see his platform, my platform. Yes. If he is having second thoughts about attending debates, a one-on-one might be better for the country to know his platform, my platform.” (March 21 press briefing in Silang, Cavite)

—JULIE M. AURELIO

Leni Robredo #10

■ March 20 – Held “PasigLaban” rally in Pasig City attended by an estimated 137,000 supporters, considered the country’s biggest campaign event in recent history

■ March 21 – Attended “Dasalan sa Batangan” at National Shrine of Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, organized by Archdiocesan Council of the Laity of the Philippines.

■ March 22 – Barnstormed Nueva Ecija province; rallies in San Jose and Cabanatuan cities drew over 50,000 supporters

– Met with Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association Inc. in Talavera town; visited Ako ang Saklay Center, met with women mushroom farmers in San Antonio

■ March 23 – Brought her campaign to Tarlac, home province of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III; rallies in Capas, Moncada and Santa Ignacia towns; stop at public market in Gerona town

– “Puso Tarlac” grand rally in Tarlac City attended by more than 50,000

■ March 24 – Campaign entered Davao region, the Duterte stronghold, gathering some 6,000 supporters at Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City

– In Tagum City, Davao del Norte, received endorsement of Partido Reporma through its president, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who ditched their standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

■ March 25 – Attended presidential forum organized by CBCP.

Key message: “It is very clear to me now: Our ‘people’s campaign’ has really become a crusade. Here in Pasig, you came out in full force … Hope is the heart of our people’s campaign.” (March 20 speech in Pasig grand rally)

—MARLON RAMOS

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