LP to maximize use of social media in campaign

Senator Franklin Drilon. LYN RILLON/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines–Senator Franklin Drilon, who has been appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as campaign manager of the Liberal Party (LP), said they are planning to use social media in their campaign instead of conducting traditional campaign rallies.

“We will not do traditional rallies [as] rallies are expensive. We will hold rallies [only] in major cities. We will maximize our media exposure, especially in social media,” he said after the official proclamation of the LP’s 2013 senatorial lineup Monday.

When asked if he thinks it will be difficult to campaign for their candidates who come from several political parties, he said “it’s difficult, but nevertheless, they are one in pushing for the reforms of [President Benigno Aquino III]. It’s not difficult because of similar principles.”

Drilon however pointed out difficulties with some of the candidates who are running in both the LP senatorial slate and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) lineup.

“We cannot prevent [UNA] from adopting some of our candidates. But it is certainly quite problematic when the candidate they adopt would suddenly appear in their rallies, because if they endorse the candidates on the other side; in effect, they’re junking the candidates in the [LP] coalition. So it is a difficult situation,” Drilon said.

Senator Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Grace Poe-Llamanzares, are running under both LP and UNA’s respective senatorial slates.

“For us one thing is clear: those who join Aquino, they are the ones who will help in continuing the reforms,” Drilon said.