Mexico, Pampanga—Despite the benefits of digital communications, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson understands that holding physical campaigns is still the best way to connect with the electorate.
Speaking to reporters at the third leg of his “Online Kumustahan,” on Friday, Lacson said he and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III are prepared to go around the country and personally communicate their political platforms to the Filipino voters.
Both senators first held their virtual town hall forums in Antipolo City, Rizal over the last two weekends, which they attended online. Lacson said he found it quite “unfair” for their supporters to be going out while they stayed home, so they decided to make some changes.
“We made some adjustments kasi ‘nung una, (because, at first, it was) purely online, kaya ang tawag namin (so we called it) “Online Kumustahan.” Ganito rin, may mga (It’s just like this, there is a small) crowd din, iba’t ibang lugar (in different locations),” Lacson said.
“Nasimulan namin doon sa Rizal province. Pero kaming dalawa ni Senate President Sotto naka-online. So, napapansin namin, parang unfair naman doon sa mga kausap namin na sila nasa on-site, tapos kaming dalawa, wala naman kami doon sa lugar. (We started this in Rizal province but Senate President Sotto and I were just online. So, we noticed it was quite unfair for the people we were talking to that they were on-site, but we were not there physically),” he added.
For the Partido Reporma presidential bet, nothing beats adding a personal touch to political campaigns, but he understands its limitations these days, considering the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lacson said they are planning to conduct more “Online Kumustahan” events where he and Sotto can also attend physically while keeping the crowd attendance for their political rallies at the bare minimum to stave off a possible superspreader event.
“Kaya naisip namin ‘yung “Online Kumustahan” para maging protektado rin ‘yung ating mga kababayan. Kung napansin niyo, may mga social o physical distancing at may mga tao sa labas na hindi na nga nakapasok dahil nga mapupuno, magkakasiksikan. (We came up with the “Online Kumustahan” to also protect our citizens. If you notice, there is social or physical distancing, and there are people outside who are advised to go home instead to avoid overcrowding), ” the senator told reporters.
Lacson said the virtual town hall forum is a continuing program in support of his presidential bid in tandem with Sotto, who is running as his vice president. He plans to also bring at least two or three of their senatorial candidates to introduce them to the people in every activity.
Partido Reporma senatorial bets Dr. Minguita Padilla and Paolo “Powee” Capino accompanied Lacson during his on-site appearance for the “Online Kumustahan” at the Municipal Hall of Mexico, Pampanga, while former Makati congressman Monsour del Rosario attended virtually.
Also present during the Pampanga sortie are Partido Reporma president and incumbent Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, as well as treasurer Arnel Ty, former partylist representative for the LPG Marketers’ Association (LPGMA).
Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy Tumang, other local leaders of nearby municipalities, and barangay officials met with Lacson and the Partido Reporma candidates. Sotto joined the activity from Laurel, Batangas because he had a prior engagement in the province that day.
Local government leaders and residents from the City of San Fernando and Barangays San Juan in San Simon, Mandasig in Candaba, and Apalit in Floridablanca, Pampanga also participated in the afternoon virtual forum held yesterday.
According to security officials and event organizers, at least 250 people attended the socially distanced gatherings in each location, bringing the overall attendance tally to roughly 1,250. Thousands more supporters followed the activities online via Zoom and Facebook.
“We will go around the country, not just to speak to our people, but mostly to listen. It is better if we hear their concerns from the ground, directly from the people, or the representatives of the people like the barangay chairmen, councilors, mayors,” Lacson said.