MANILA, Philippines – At the campaign season's kickoff on Tuesday, February 9, the streets were not the only places where supporters made noise.
Netizens who could not be present at the rallies of Grace Poe, Rodrigo Duterte, and Jejomar Binay were making their views about their candidates known on social media.
Supporters of the 3 presidential bets propelled them to the trending topics in the Philippines, Quezon City, and Manila.
In Manila, where Duterte and Poe held their sorties, #GP2016, Plaza Miranda, and Tondo trended at one point. The Poe-Escudero tandem held their event at Plaza Miranda, while Duterte and Cayetano were in Tondo.
Binay, who campaigned in Mandaluyong, was the 3rd most trending topic in Quezon City under "VP Binay." Poe and Escudero were second in Quezon City. Their hashtag #GP2016 also trending at 8th, while Tondo came in 5th.
Supporters of particular candidates tried to make the case for their picks online while others showed their opposition to other bets.
Poe, Duterte energize supporters
Bouncing back from issues surrounding her disqualification cases, Poe has reemerged as the frontrunner of the race.
Hindi lang naman sa survey leading si Sen Grace Poe, kundi pati sa puso ng buong Pilipino. #GP2016
— CaseyMartinezUPGRADE (@caseypher) February 9, 2016
Poe recently topped the Laylo and Pulse Asia surveys released just days before the campaign season. She saw a dip in her ratings while facing the disqualification cases against her.
Si Grace Poe talaga ang gusto kong manala sa halalan ngayong 2016. #GPG2016
— ALLEYAت (@roldan_alleya) February 9, 2016
Realtalk: Grace Poe is better than Roxas and Binay :3 #GP2016
— ☆Ｊｅｒｒｉｅ Ｚｙｘ☆ (@JerrieZyx) February 9, 2016
Despite the strong show of support, many netizens railed against the event, which caused heavy traffic. Her opening salvo was staged at Plaza Miranda.
ANG TRAFFIC ESPAÑA-QUIAPO ty grace poe ang hassle sobra
— Queenie Boado (@queeeeebow) February 9, 2016
ang hassle mo grace poe
— jowjowjow (@JonaMaae) February 9, 2016
Another fan favorite, Rodrigo Duterte, rallied his supporters in Tondo. Although he did frequently change his mind about running, he has been able to build a solid base.
The tough-talking Davao mayor has also earned the admiration of voters who believe in his promise to eliminate crime and corruption. (WATCH: #TheLeaderIWant: Leadership, Duterte style)
Lahat ng tunatakbong presedente except kay duterte ay may kapangyarihan na sa gobyerno ng pilipinas .e wala paring pag babago!!! #Duterte
— M★RVOLTAGEO (@marthebartender) February 9, 2016
However, it is this same approach that disappointed other voters who have criticized his admission of extrajudicial killings and his views on human rights and the death penalty.
Duterte all the way. #DuterteIsInTheAir#Duterte2016#Pagbabago
— digong for president (@tanim_bala) February 9, 2016
Do you think #Duterte would really kill when he becomes President??
— Inigo Demetrio (@itsnotjustInigo) February 9, 2016
A president that has the guts to kill. . Hmmm. No thanks. NEXT!
Duterte is one angry dude.
— Couchprincess (@couch_princess) February 9, 2016
Be cautious with Binay
Binay, known for his pro-poor image, received flack from netizens who warned others to be cautious of his gimmicks.
Sana naman hindi madala ang mga tao sa pasopas o kung ano mang pautot nito ni Binay.
— yhel Enriquez (@tabayhel) February 9, 2016
Others took a more humorous approach, poking fun at Binay's gimmicks.
Tao: Bat ayaw mo pumunta dun kay binay sa shaw mall ? Me:Jusko ano naman gagawin ko dun Tao: Malay mo bigyan ka ng t-shirt Hahhaha
— Archiiee ㅈㅅㅊ (@JhnplMDR) February 9, 2016
Allegations of corruption also followed Binay to the campaign period, and many said they would not vote for him because of the cases filed against him.
Taxpayer ako. Gusto kong mapunta sa tama at mapakinabangan ang ibinabayad kong buwis.
— Rain (@_ulan_) February 9, 2016
AYAW KO KAY #BINAY. #PHVote
Negative comments do not hold back the Binay campaign which has a loyal voter base. (READ: Binay, Escudero lead 2016 race – SWS poll)
@BinayPaRin2016@MartinRomualdez#una#malasakit naniniwala kami sainyo. Solid Romualdez and Binay!
— Marcelita Guiterrez (@mayegutierrez06) February 9, 2016
Wild ride
The campaign season was intense before it began. Now that it has officially started, some netizens are bracing themselves for a crazier ride.
@rapplerdotcom Particularly interested. To note are Presidentiables who are having DQ cases, corruption charges & ill-health. VP is lucky!
— Mang Juan (@oklangkuno) February 9, 2016
On one of Rappler’s Instagram posts for the event, one netizen, marvene_aurora, said she expected it to be “chaotic and hot” while earthdelmindo said it would be “colorful.”
Social media has been key to gathering support so far. Most candidates have social media accounts, which they use to release statements and other campaign materials.
@rapplerdotcom Wil b a unique election Social media wil b a great impact & equalizer for candidates victory Election is now changing #PHVote
— ner (@chichaychi) February 9, 2016
Candidates’ supporters are also vocal online, and there has been blowback for many who publicly express their opinions for or against their bets.
Online or offline, it's still anyone's game (READ: The Scrum: PH presidential bets face fickle voters at start of campaigns). – Bea Orante/Rappler.com