Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao has welcomed the announcement of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that it would allow limited face-to-face campaigning should lockdown restrictions be eased further with the decline in COVID-19 cases.
“This is a welcome development. There’s nothing better than meeting people face-to-face and convincing them to vote for you in the coming election,” he said.
Although candidates are already on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, the boxing legend said he still prefers personal contact with people “because you can explain your stand on various issues, such as corruption and poverty.”
Pacquiao said there is nothing better than face-to-face campaigning because “people can only feel your sincerity if they see you in person and shake your hand.”
“If virtual kasi paramihan lang sila ng mga bayaran na trolls at yung mga tao naman nadadala sa mga fake news,” the senator said.
Pacquiao has teamed up with House Deputy Speaker and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as his vice-presidential candidate with a focus on fighting corruption and poverty in the country in the next six years.
The Comelec is still finalizing its guidelines on limited in-person campaigning for release within the month but encourages candidates to be creative in reaching out to the electorate through both traditional media and social media platforms.