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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Bongbong camp believes strategy of skipping media interviews, debates 'effective'

Bongbong camp believes strategy of skipping media interviews, debates 'effective'

Published Feb 17, 2022 02:36 pm

Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s strategy of skipping media interviews has proven to be effective as he has maintained his huge survey lead over his Palace seat rivals, his camp said.

Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos (Photo from Lakas-CMD Media)

Citing an opinion made by political analyst lawyer Ed Chico, Marcos Jr.'s camp agreed that his absence in interviews attended by other president candidates "might even have helped him increase his lead over his opponents".

Marcos Jr.'s camp also cited in its press release the following statement from Chico: "Itong survey na ito nung kinuha ito (Whe this survey was done) it was around that time that he refused to appear before doon sa programa ng isang batikang broadcaster (in the program of a veteran journalist). But despite that nakita na overwhelming ang suporta sa kanila (we could see the people's overwhelming support for him)."

The Marcos camp, again citing the opinion of Chico, said the "refusal of Marcos in some interviews seems to be an effective campaign strategy based on the result of the survey," referring to the latest Pulse Asia survey where Marcos Jr.'s rating rose from 53 to 60 percent.

Marcos Jr.'s camp appeared to be in agreement with Chico's suggestion that the ex-senator's rivals "need to change their strategy or campaign narrative if they still want to catch up".

"Sa tingin ko hindi na rin masyadong bababa yan (Marcos’ numbers). Kasi hindi na effective ‘yung mga narrative nila na lumalabas. Kailangang mag re-calibrate nung mga kandidato para ma-overcome nila ‘yung ganun kalaking boto (I believe his numbers won't go down anymore, because the narratives of other candidates are no longer effective. They have to recalibrate in order to overcome that big of a lead)," Marcos Jr.'s camp quoted Chico as saying.

The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer has been known to be picky in granting interviews and invites to debates. In turning down such interviews or debates, Marcos Jr. has said that he had prior commitments or was not keen on engaging in debates that would only make candidates fight against each other.

Meanwhile, in his campaign rallies, Marcos Jr. has repeatedly mentioned his pitch for unity, which he claimed was an essential step in achieving progress.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos strategy surveys media interviews ed chico political analyst
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