Metro Manila, Philippines – Some senatorial candidates of different persuasions shared a common struggle in wooing voters: the uneven playing field on campaign resources.
During the “Ang Kandidato: A NewsWatch Plus Election Roundtable,” a mix of independent, progressive, and Duterte-allied aspirants opened up about the disadvantage they face in the campaign trail.
Arlene Brosas and Jayvee Hinlo, who come from opposing political groups, admitted their lack of resources for advertisements and billboards for voter recall.
“It is a disadvantage. Maganda sana patas ang laban. We level the playing field dapat. Kapag 11 times kang nakikita sa TV, scientifically ang sinasabi ikaw ay kilala. Ikaw ang mananalo kasi ikaw ang kilala,” said Brosas from the Makabayan coalition.
[Translation: It’s a disadvantage. It would have been better if the playing field were level. We should level the playing field. When you appear on television 11 times, scientifically, what it says is that you’re recognized. You’re the one who’s going to win because you’re the one who’s known.]
“Wala akong tarpaulin, may nakita ba kayo? Billboard wala. Pero napakaswerte natin na isinama ako ng PDP Laban sa kanilang hanay at sa aking tingin, iyong kampanya sa ngayon, vote straight PDP Laban. Mabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon na maiprisinta ang aking mga programa,” Hinlo said.
[Translation: I don’t have any tarpaulins, did you see any? No billboards. But I was lucky because PDP Laban included me in their group, and in my opinion, the current campaign is to vote straight for PDP Laban. I will be given the opportunity to present my programs.]
A January report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism noted that nearly a hundred candidates for senators, party-list, and district representatives aired over P4 billion worth of television and radio advertisements even before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October 2024.
Meanwhile, Bonifacio Bosita, who is running as an independent, hit the legitimacy of pre-election surveys, saying this is also an advantage for wealthy candidates. Bosita has not entered the winning circle or the so-called Magic 12 in recent surveys released by pollsters such as Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations, and Octa Research.
“Iyong ibang survey may bayad…Advantage po ito sa mapepera at mayayaman. Sa amin, hindi advantage yan. Siguro po, kung magkakaroon ng pagkakataon, kung survey, gawan ng programa ng gobyerno, patas lahat i-survey. Ganoon din sa mga advertisement,” he said.
[Translation: Some surveys are paid…This is an advantage for the wealthy and those with money. For us, that’s a disadvantage. Maybe, if there’s an opportunity, the government should make sure all surveys are fair. The same goes for advertisements.]
For independent bet Ariel Querubin, the Commission on Elections should ensure a level campaign.
“Bigyan lahat ng kandidato ng airtime na sagot nila. Level the playing field kasi ngayon…it’s all about popularity and resources. If you’re popular, you can win. if you have the resources, you can also win,” he said.
[Translation: Give all candidates airtime charged to Comelec. Level the playing field because as it is…it’s all about popularity and resources. If you’re popular, you can win. If you have the resources, you can also win.]
Catch Menchu Macapagal’s interview with senatorial aspirants on NewsWatch Plus social media platforms and on free TV at Aliw 23.
