Moreno camp touts ‘silent majority’ in ‘retail’ stump

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday said they are not threatened by large turnouts at the rallies of his rivals, as they touted the “silent majority” in Moreno’s “retail” campaign.

In a statement, the camp described Moreno’s rallies as “lean and mean” and composed of “real supporters.”

“Be it a few thousands or tens of thousands, Moreno takes pride that the turnout in his rallies comprised the ‘silent majority’,” the statement read in part.

The mayor’s camp listed the following crowd count in Moreno’s rallies in the past weeks: 80,000 in Ermita, Manila; 40,000 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; 35,000 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and 20,000 in Toledo City, Cebu.

The Moreno camp made the statement yesterday as his competitors held three grand rallies in Metro Manila on Saturday – 412,000 in Vice President Leni Robredo’s rally along Macapagal Avenue, Pasay; 14,000 for former senator and the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his rally in Bustillos, Manila; and over 12,300 in Sen. Manny Pacqiuao’s prayer rally in San Juan.

Moreno had said he is not “panicking” as his rivals generate packed crowds, as he called his supporters “organic” and not a product of “hakot.”

He added that he would rather go directly to the people and campaign instead of holding grand rallies.