Presidential bets lead pack of hopefuls in raising hope for new brand of leadership
Candidates for national positions hit the hustings on Tuesday for the three-month campaign season, in a chaotic and colorful charm offensive aimed at wooing millions of voters typically more interested in personality than policy.
Led by ten presidential hopefuls and nine vice-presidential bets, the candidates formally presented their platforms of governance to crowds big and small across the archipelago after months of so-called “listening tours” or conversations with select groups under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of the candidates relied on their hometowns for guaranteed warm, if not enthusiastic, support from their friends and followers, but the real challenge going forward is convincing the rest of the 65.7 million eligible Filipino voters to put them in power for the next six years until 2028.
Aside from the top two officials of the Executive branch, Pinoys will have to vote for 12 senators—who like the President and VP also have six-year terms—and 63 party-list representatives to Congress, who will sit for three years.
Meanwhile, on the eve of the campaign season, President Rodrigo Duterte said all candidates “are my friends” and he would not endorse anyone “at this time.”
In his regular Monday evening address, Duterte however said he would announce which candidate he would endorse only if there is “a compelling reason” to change his mind.
The Palace on Tuesday appealed to all political candidates and the public to refrain from physical interactions such as handshakes and hugs during campaign sorties due to the continuing threat of COVID-19.
Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles also reminded all candidates and their supporters to strictly observe the minimum health standards set by the government.
Nograles cited Comelec Resolution No. 10732 that outlines the guidelines for the conduct of 2022 Election-related activities amid the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the resolution, in-person campaigning is not allowed for COVID-19 Alert Levels 4 and 5 while candidates or campaign leaders must only be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff in Alert Level 2 and three for Alert Level 3.
In his prerecorded public address, Duterte called the attention of the Comelec to closely watch and supervise the elections and warned that failure to observe health protocols amid large gatherings could lead to a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
As for the military, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. reminded troops to refrain from commenting on any political posts on social media to avoid allegations of engaging in partisan politics.
“Avoid posting, liking, sharing, and commenting on posts that are politically motivated, controversial, and fraudulent,” he said in a statement Monday night.
Brawner also reminded soldiers about their two solemn duties – to vote and ensure orderly elections.
Along with other major service commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard, Brawner witnessed the signing of the Joint Letter Directive (JLD) No. 01-2022 in Camp Crame, Quezon City, which aims to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the coming elections.
The PA chief earlier reminded Army units to dismantle private armed groups as part of the service’s efforts to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of elections.
The PNP, meanwhile, said it will give a standard security package for the candidates in the 2022 elections.
Interviewed on CNN Philippines, PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos said this came up after a meeting with Comelec acting chairperson Socorro Inting and other law enforcement agencies on Monday.
Carlos said some presidential candidates have already coordinated with the PNP to have police security teams.
The PNP also said it will exercise maximum tolerance in enforcing election guidelines and COVID-19 health standards in campaign rallies of candidates.
Interviewed on Dobol B TV, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said police personnel will first discuss the offense with campaign participants to avoid further tension during the activities.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said police officers and barangay officials will be deployed to monitor compliance of candidates with the Comelec guidelines on election activities.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church on Tuesday started its prayer drive for the candidates who are running for national positions at the start of the 90-day campaign period for the May polls.
In a Facebook post, the Manila Cathedral said the clergy and the faithful have also started its “Prayer Power Campaign” which coincided with the beginning of the campaign period.
In a related development, a total of 893 people have been arrested for violating the gun ban in connection with the 2022 elections as 30 new violators were reported on Tuesday.
Based on the PNP data, most of the arrests were reported in the National Capital Region with 283 violators, followed by Central Visayas with 116 and Central Luzon with 111.
According to the PNP, 861 of the arrested violators were civilians, eight were police personnel, five were military personnel, 11 were security guards.
Outgoing presidents usually identify their preferred successor, who they hope will keep them out of prison as much as protect their legacy.
Duterte, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a second six-year term, had chosen loyal aide Senator Christopher Go to replace him, but he pulled out of the contest.
The ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has yet to endorse a presidential candidate for the upcoming polls.
The PDP-Laban adopted Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, for vice president last month.
Asked if Duterte’s pronouncement would affect the PDP-Laban’s decision on which candidate to endorse, Nograles said consensus-building and discussions among officials are still ongoing.
“The leaders of the PDP-Laban, the National Executive Committee are still discussing this because the President said last night that at this time he is not supporting any candidate but he also said unless there is a compelling reason for me to change my mind),” Nograles said.