Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The campaign period has indeed begun.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano got the ball rolling early as the two candidates visited a community in Tondo, Manila past midnight on Tuesday (February 9).
Related: Duterte to go all-out in presidential campaign
Duterte said in an earlier interview he is clueless why their campaign will kick off in Tondo.
His camp said, however, they opted to start in that area because Tondo — one of the most populous district of Manila — is home to slum communities where many people are unemployed and underemployed.
They also said Tondo is also a melting pot of migrants from Visayas and Mindanao, who can easily identify with Duterte.
The proclamation rally of Duterte and Cayetano was held near Sto. Niño Church, specifically at the intersection of Zamora and Morga streets in Tondo.
The juncture had been closed since Monday afternoon, to some extent slowing traffic in the area.
CNN Philippines correspondent Ina Andolong earlier reported that the crowd at the event is composed largely of residents who live nearby and the tandem’s supporters from Taguig.
Duterte scratch cards
Since Duterte is still in need of funds to run a nationwide campaign, his camp released scratch cards to help raise money.
By availing these scratch cards, supporters of Duterte and Cayetano can contribute various denominations — ranging from P25 to P500,000 — to the tandem.
The back of the card contains a PIN number, which is revealed once the card is scratched. The contributor can send the PIN number along with his name and address via SMS to a gateway number.
The funds collected from these scratch cards will be remitted to the campaign finance headquarters and will be used for other campaign activities.
Duterte’s campaign will also be funded with contributions from his supporters.
Duterte’s platforms
Duterte has earlier said he will focus on fighting crime, illegal drugs and corruption. He also said he intends to boost agriculture and end labor contractualization should he win the May elections.
In his midnight gathering with residents of Tondo, he said he would strengthen microfinancing and continue the government’s anti-poverty initiative, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
During his Tarlac visit on Monday, the presidential candidate also said he would help boost the agriculture industry should he win the presidency. He also promised local farmers free irrigation.
CNN Philippines correspondents Ina Andolong and Triciah Terada, and Davao-based journalist Ben O. Tesiorna contributed to this report.
