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MANILA, Could 3 (Reuters) – Philippine presidential candidates have been within the provinces on Tuesday to drum up extra help because the marketing campaign entered its homestretch, in an election that has formed right into a two-way race between Ferdinand Marcos Jr and previous rival Leni Robredo.
Marcos, the son and namesake of the ousted dictator who dominated the Philippines for twenty years, has a large lead in polls over incumbent vice chairman, Robredo, forward of the Could 9 poll.
The 64-year-old frontrunner repeated his message of unity earlier than supporters in central Iloilo province on the first of three large rallies this week earlier than campaigning ends on Saturday, urging them to hold his “Uniteam” to victory.
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“We now have travelled across the nation to rally help behind our unity motion,” mentioned Marcos, who seems on the verge of finishing a once-unthinkable rebranding of the Marcos title, 36 years after a “individuals energy” rebellion toppled his father and drove his household into exile.
Political analysts say Marcos has been aided by a decades-long public relations effort to change notion of his household, at the same time as critics accuse the Marcoses of making an attempt to rewrite historical past. learn extra
“They’ve… the benefit of crafting an interesting narrative, which we all know distorts the historic reality and but has one way or the other appealed to many citizens,” mentioned retired political science professor Temario Rivera.
In Negros Occidental province, what was speculated to be a small meeting was a marketing campaign rally for Robredo, 57, after dozens of supporters confirmed up. There, she promised an sincere and clear authorities if elected president.
The most recent Pulse Asia survey carried out in mid April confirmed 56% of two,400 respondents supporting Marcos, 23% backing Robredo and former boxer Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso on 7% and 4% respectively.
Additionally a boon for Marcos is working mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who has been driving on the massive reputation of her father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, who on Monday reiterated he would endorse no presidential candidate.
On the Marcos rally on Tuesday, crowds emphatically chanted “Duterte, Duterte,” earlier than she spoke.
Marcos and Robredo have a bitter rivalry, with Robredo’s affiliation firmly with the motion that ousted his father after years of authoritarianism and martial regulation.
Regardless of Marcos’s commanding lead, Robredo has attracted key endorsements and massive crowds in current rallies, help that some analysts say the most recent survey could not have captured.
Robredo final week challenged Marcos to a debate, however he declined, saying he most well-liked to talk on to the general public. learn extra
Critics have accused Marcos of ducking debates to masks weaknesses, and complained he has been inaccessible to media, with some international journalists reporting being denied accreditation for his marketing campaign occasions.
“All these restrictive actions undermine a essential and free press in an Asian bulwark of democracy and have sparked fears of how impartial media could be handled below one other attainable Marcos presidency,” the Overseas Correspondents Affiliation of the Philippines mentioned in a press release.
His staff didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
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Reporting by Karen Lema; Extra reporting by Adrian Portugal; Modifying by Ed Davies, Martin Petty
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