Excitement in the Philippines as election campaign climaxes

MANILA, May 7 (Reuters) – Hundreds of thousands gathered on Saturday in the Philippines, where leading presidential candidates made a last-ditch effort to impress undecided voters with patriotic, upbeat messages after a divisive election race.

Singers, celebrities and social media stars staged fireworks in the capital Manila ahead of the election on Monday, as fireworks pit Vice President Lenny Robredo against Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the notoriously late dictator who ruled the Philippines . for 20 years. read more

If opinion polls are accurate, 57-year-old Robredo would need a late surge, or low turnout, to win the presidency, Marcos, a former congressman and senator, led him by more than 30 percentage points, every vote this year. secured the top position. read more

The two share a political chasm that has existed for more than four decades, with Robredo’s roots in the movement that led to the 1986 “manpower” rebellion that saw the elder Marcos and Marcos Jr. Standing on the brink. first family.

Marcos presented his campaign as an opportunity to bridge that divide.

“We will reach the day when we join forces, when we face the world again and shout out to our friends and wave our flag, we will be proud to say we are Filipinos,” Marcos said, waving a national red shirt. Said flags to the crowd

Opponents of Marcos say the presidency is the final game in a years-long effort to change the historical narrative of authoritarianism and plunder that has trampled on his family, which, despite falling from grace, remains one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Philippine politics. One of the most influential.

Marcos Jr.’s policy has been criticized for its lack of platform and stifling debate and media presence, a tactic that has garnered scrutiny and earned him social media among voters born long after his father’s rule. allowed to generate support.

Monday will be a rematch of the 2016 vice presidential election, which Marcos looked set to win, before losing to Robredo by just 200,000 votes. He alleged fraud and fought hard to reverse the result, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. read more

“This fight is not about one person or candidate. I am just the vehicle of love that surrounds the Philippines,” Robredo told hundreds of thousands of supporters at a rally that turned the city’s business district pink, The color of his campaign.

If polls show opinion polls show, 64-year-old Marcos could be the first Philippines president to be elected by a majority vote since the end of his father’s rule.

After attending Marcos’ rally, 43-year-old Marcos supporter Emma Montes, a domestic help, said: “I’m very happy because he’s so close to taking office as the next president. I’m sure as long as there’s no cheating Will happen.”

Nearly 65 million Filipinos are eligible to vote on Monday to decide the successor to President Rodrigo Duterte, after six years in power, as well as thousands of other positions, ranging from lawmakers and governors to city mayors and councillors.

Christian Dave Palero, 22, a call center agent wearing a pink jacket, said he still believed Robredo had a chance to win.

“We are tired but we are happy and fulfilled,” he said. “We believe Lenny can win.”

Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Lisa Marie David; Additional reporting by Jay Areno, Adrian Portugal and Aloisá López; Editing by Martin Petty

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