Marcos Jr., Sara show force at campaign launch at Philippine Arena

BULACAN —As the 90-day campaign period for Eleksyon 2022 starts, the tandem of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte kicked off their campaign rally on Tuesday afternoon, filling the Philippine Arena with supporters in red and green.

The Philippine Arena, located in Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan, is one of the world’s largest indoor arena with a floor area of 99,000 square meters and seating capacity of more than 50,000.

As COVID-19 protocols were strictly implemented during the event, more or less 25,000, or half of the allowed capacity, were able to attend the "ticketed" kick off rally. Only fully-vaccinated individuals were allowed to enter the Arena.

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in the event but did not join the candidates on stage.

Aspiring senators under the slate of the Marcos-Duterte tandem were formally introduced during the proclamation rally.

Present during the rally as of posting time were Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, former Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro, former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, former Public Works secretary Mark Villar, lawyer Larry Gadon, former senator Jinggoy Estrada and House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta.

House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, another senatorial aspirant, delivered a video message.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Marcos' spokesman Victor Rodriguez, said another candidate will be added to the UniTeam slate, but did not name the bet.

"We plan to complete the 12 but we are still in the process of finalizing who gets that last slot for the UniTeam but of course more than the 12 eh lahat gustong sumama at marami na rin ang tumutugon sa panawagan ni presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ng pambansang pagkakaisa at pagkakabuklod-buklod," Rodriquez said.

"So inaasahan natin na more than 12 siguro ang gustong sumama dito sa BBM-Sara UniTeam," he added.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez denied reports that they are giving P200 to individuals who will attend the proclamation rally. He deemed this information circulating on social media as "black propaganda"

"Hanggang ngayong araw na ito eh may mga black propaganda, 'yung mga cheap political gimmicks na kumakalat. This event is for free and this is the offer of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte sa milyun-milyong supporters nila na hindi bumibitiw at higit pang dumarami by the day," Rodriguez said.

INC endorsement?

Meanwhile, Rodriguez said there is no official word yet that the Iglesia Ni Cristo will endorse the tandem of Marcos and Duterte. He said they just utilized the Arena because it can accommodate the supporters of the tandem.

"You’re reading too much between the lines. We have not said anything close to that. Ito ay venue lamang. Kaya namin ito napili sapagkat ito ang pinakamalaki at maaaring mag-accommodate sa libu-libo naming mga supporters and followers," Rodriguez said.

"This is just a proclamation rally. We just chose this venue kasi ito nga yung pinakamalaki. Kung meron lang mas malaki pa edi baka doon kami to accommodate more supporters and followers," he added.

Rodriguez did not disclose their campaign sorties in the coming days but he said they will only visit Alert Level 2 areas, and not those areas under Alert Level 3.—LDF, GMA News