Campaign Convos: ISSA? Leni-Sara? Bakit mahilig ang Pilipino mag-split ng tandem

MANILA, Philippines – In the past week, a so-called “Willie Ong erasure” in Isko Moreno’s Maguindanao sorties reminded everyone that president-VP tandems in Philippine elections are constructs.

Formally and officially, the Moreno-Ong tandem is solid. So is the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte tandem. Both have publicly declared they are partners all the way to Election Day. But that doesn’t stop other politicians, groups, and ordinary voters themselves from mixing and matching candidates, and forming the tandem that speaks to them.

In this fourth episode of Campaign Convos, Rappler campaign reporters try to answer this question: Bakit nga ba mahilig ang Pilipino sa tandem-splitting? (Why are Filipinos fond of splitting official tandems?)

Catch the discussion live at 6 pm on Thursday, February 24.

In post-EDSA Revolution history, only one official tandem was voted together – Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Noli de Castro in the 2004 elections.

In the 2022 elections, there are groups backing Isko-Sara, another one backing Leni-Sara. What other interesting combinations can we expect? And what’s the impact of tandem-splitting on official tandems and their campaign strategy?

Campaign Convos is a weekly talk show and podcast featuring kuwentuhan, analysis, and inside information straight from both the physical and virtual campaign trail. It’s hosted by reporters Jairo Bolledo, Lian Buan, Mara Cepeda, Bea Cupin, Pia Ranada, Aika Rey, and Rambo Talabong.

The podcast version can be found on Spotify. It features a second segment called “And I Quote,” brief excerpts of interviews by reporters with campaign personalities and insiders.

Make Campaign Convos part of your weekly ritual until election day!

Watch or listen to past episodes:

• Episode 1: Kumusta ang candidates pag naha-hotseat ng media? (Spotify podcast here.)
• Episode 2: How candidates projected power in their proclamation rallies (Spotify podcast here.)
• Episode 3: How surveys shape candidates’ strategies (Spotify podcast here.)

– Rappler.com