Presidential hopeful Senator Manny Pacquiao yesterday kicked off his campaign for the May 9 elections with a motorcade in his hometown of General Santos City.
Pacquiao is running under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) with Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza.
With a slogan “Panalo ang mahirap,” Pacquiao presents himself as a champion of the poor. The key themes of his campaign are eradicating poverty and fighting corruption.
Pacquiao’s media team said around 580 vehicles joined the caravan, which started around 1 p.m. around his hometown.
Before the caravan, Pacquiao was offered prayers by his family and close friends who were clad in white shirts with “Man of Destiny” in print.
Supporters who joined the caravan came from Sarangani, where he served as two-term congressman, Maguindanao, and South Cotabato.
From Barangay Bawing, the caravan traversed other barangays of Tambler, Calumpang, Labangal, Silway, and Dadiangas West in GenSan.
The caravan ended at the Oval Plaza Grandstand where the proclamation rally of the Pacquiao-Atienza tandem started at 3 p.m.
Pacquiao’s team also said the senatorial candidates present were broadcaster Raffy Tulfo and ex-Eastern Samar governor Lutgardo Barbo.
Senator Win Gatchalian was represented by actress Bianca Manalo, his fiancée.
Other candidates under Pacquiao’s slate gave video messages during the rally. They are Senator Richard Gordon, House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, former vice president Jejomar Binay and former senator JV Ejercito.
