AS THE opening salvos for the start of the official campaign period for candidates seeking national positions reeled in, there are some things or activities that we cannot help but observe. Some became controversial and some, on the internet, viral.
There were gimmicks and tricks, of course, that went in the way. Some had the "show of force" mode that is intended to show-off the number of supporters they have. They hope, too, that this would lead to the snowballing of support and eventually to votes come due time.
The fact that BBM's (Bongbong Marcos) proclamation rally was held at the arena of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in Bulacan is something to worry about by the rivals of the late strongman's junior. Some can speculate that BBM has the support of the said church. Members of the INC are known to be block voters as they go solid to their leaders' annointed ones.
If we are to get the number of those who attended BBM's, it was an astounding force to brag about by Election Day. The area was filled with people wearing red shirts.
Aling Leni, meanwhile, had her proclamation rally held in her home city, Naga in the Bicol region. She had with her Kiko, her running mate and some senatorial aspirants.
Bicol is a vote-rich territory.
In her speech, she called for support not only from Bicolanos but also from people from other places. Expectedly, she had with them local politicians giving them their support as coming from Bicol.
Senator Ping, likewise, had his bid launch in his own territory, his hometown Imus in Cavite. Since his runningmate is Tito Sen, they brought along the "dabarkads," including Tito Sen's brother Vic.
The dabarkads are crowd drawers and are great endorsers of anything or anyone, the reason perhaps why they are there, aside from expressing their support to their candidates by their presence.
The boxer had his rally in General Santos City in Mindanao. Again, he has the homecourt advantage just like in the National Basketball Association where they had the crowd. Senator Manny Pacquiao has many supporters in GenSan as expected.
Yorme launched his presidential bid at his Heroes Park in Manila.
Again, he has the advantage of having much supporters in attendance while he is in his bailiwick. He has the ManileƱos backing him up.
The low-profile presidentiable Ka Leody, who also had his low profile rally, went to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City for the launch of his bid. As simple as he can, he made his official campaign debut minus the pompous and loud gimmicks. Others had theirs in more simple venues.
These kind of political activities are allowed by law and these somehow can show not only the candidates' platforms and programs but also their style and status of their campaigns. Proclamation rallies can be indicators of how opulent their campaign chests and also their winnability. Venues, however, are less important than the candidates' track record, sincerity, integrity, trustworthiness among others. In the end, we should always vote for "wisely."