Aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan asked voters whether information found on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are enough basis in electing a leader.
Speaking to supporters and volunteers in Dinggoy Roxas, Capiz on Tuesday, Feb. 15, Pangilinan reiterated his call to voters to choose leaders based on their track record and not solely rely on materials on social media.
He told them to be careful "especially in the face of massive disinformation, character assassinations, and fake news peddled as truth online."
“Malungkot mang isipin, marami pa ang naniniwala na ang basehan upang mamili kung sino ang mamumuno ay TikTok. Tama ba iyon? Ang basehan upang piliin kung sino ang mamumuno ay YouTube. Sapat ba iyon? (It's saddening that many believe that the basis in electing a leader is TikTok. Is that right? The basis to choose a leader is YouTube. Is that enough?),” he asked the audience who responded with a resounding “no.”
"Kaya dapat tayo kapag sinuyo natin ang ating mga kababayan, dalhin natin ang katotohanan, ang track record, iyong mga nagawa na at hindi iyong ipinapangako pa lamang (So, when we woo our countrymen, bring the truth, track record, those that has been done and not those that are still being promised),” he added.
According to the incumbent lawmaker, nothing beats face-to-face conversations with voters who might have been misinformed.
“Pero alam n'yo kung ano ang mas epektibo kaysa sa banner, polyeto, at streamer? Iyong tao-taong kausap. mas epektibo tayong makakapagpababago ng isip ng ating mga kababayan (But you know what's more effective than the banners, leaflets, and streamers? The personal conversations. Through this, we can effectively convince our countrymen who are victims of various fake news),” Pangilinan said.
During the sortie, the vice-presidential aspirant also expressed his gratitude to volunteers who toil day and night just to forward the “Sa gobyernong tapat, angat buhay lahat” battlecry of Team Robredo-Pangilinan in the upcoming May elections.
He said that he and presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo draw strength from the volunteers who continue to work long hours a day in helping them in their campaign journey.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng ating volunteers. Alam ko sa paghahanda n'yo dito ay mahigit 18 hours kayong nagta-trabaho (Thank you so much to our volunteers. I know that you spent 18 hours to work on this grand rally), ” Pangilinan said.
“Kayo ang nagbibigay ng dagdag na tapang, dagdag na lakas upang tuluy-tuloy na nating ilaban itong laban para sa ating mga anak, itong laban para sa ating bansa, itong laban para sa mas magandang bukas (You are giving us added courage and strength to continue this fight for our children, for the country, and for a better future),” he said.