The official campaign period for national candidates in the May 9 elections will begin on Feb. 8, and presidential bets are gearing up for the next 90 days that will see them touring the Philippines to show voters why they should be elected to the country's top government post.
The six leading presidential bets have set up their own proclamation rallies on Tuesday, which will kick off their nationwide campaign for the next three months. COVID-19 protocols have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of those attending these events.
Here's how some presidential candidates will hold their proclamation rallies on Feb. 8:
Leody De Guzman
De Guzman will hold his proclamation rally at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City at 6 p.m. He will be joined by his vice presidential running mate, Walden Bello, and their senatorial slate composed of Luke Espiritu, Roy Cabonegro, and David D'Angelo.
Partylist group Partido Lakas ng Masa will also be part of the event along with other local candidates from their team.
Panfilo Lacson
Lacson and his vice presidential running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, will kick off their campaign at the Grandstand in Imus, Cavite at 5 p.m. They are expected to be joined by their senatorial candidates including Monsour Del Rosario, Minguita Padilla, and Guillermo Eleazar.
Bongbong Marcos
Marcos and his vice presidential running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, will hold their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan at 4 p.m.
Vic Rodriguez, Marcos' spokesperson, said it will be a "ticketed" event to properly observe social distancing and allowable capacity.
Isko Moreno
Moreno and his vice presidential running mate Dr. Willie Ong will hold their Kick-Off Rally at the Kartilya ng Katipunan near the Manila City Hall at 4:30 p.m. They will be joined by their senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison.
Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao will hold his proclamation rally at the Oval Stadium in General Santos City at 3 p.m., according to his office. He is expected to be joined by his vice presidential running mate Lito Atienza.
Leni Robredo
Instead of a traditional big rally, Robredo will go around Camarines Sur on Feb. 8 to officially start her campaign.
"Iikutin namin yung buong probinsya, meron lang pupuntahan na mga pockets, maliliit. Pinakasadya naman nito ay marating namin as many places as possible," she said during her weekly radio program on Sunday.
"Kasi yung big rally, sobrang inconvenient pa sa mga tao na pupunta sila. So ito, kami yung pupunta. Whole day yun sa Tuesday," she added.
Her vice presidential candidate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, is expected to participate in the event, along with their senatorial candidates.
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