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.

“Welcome na welcome ang development na ito. Walang katulad ang pagharap sa mga tao nang personal kung gusto mo silang makilala at kumbinsihin silang iboto ka sa darating na eleksiyon,” Pacquiao said.

“Nandiyan naman tayo sa Facebook, Twitter at iba pang social media, pero iba and personal contact
sa mga botante. Pwede mong ipaliwanag ang iyon opinyon sa iba’t-ibang isyu na kinakaharap natin ngayon, tulad ng korapsyon at kahirapan,” the lawmaker explained.

Pacquiao said that 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.

“Mas maganda pa rin talaga ang face-to-face campaign kasi mas makikita nila yung tunay na pagkatao mo at yung mga kumakandidato naman mas nararamdaman nila yung pinagdadaanan ng mga mga tao. Pag virtual kasi paramihan lang sila ng mga bayaran na trolls at yung mga tao naman nadadala sa mga fake news,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao has teamed up with House Deputy Speaker and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as his vice presidential candidate with focus on fighting corruption and poverty in the country in the next six years after 2022.

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.

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