COVID-19 tames race to replace Duterte as Philippine president
2022-02-08 10:11:43 source：The Aljazeera
February 8, 2022
Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines – Wading through a crowd of supporters, Vice President Leni Robredo moved carefully as a group of teens started to gather around her, hoisting their phone cameras, ready to take selfies. The presidential candidate obliged the request of her masked-wearing fans, as her staff repeatedly reminded the growing crowd to keep their distance because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Other supporters stood by, waving hand-made posters and rose-coloured banners with Robredo’s image, and yelling her name in unison. Their voices were drowned out by the booming live music playing for a dance troupe that was swaying and twirling in native costume as it welcomed the Philippines highest-ranking female official.
In a typical election year, when candidates woo voters at events up-and-down the country of 7,107 islands, Robredo’s Mardi Gras-style reception would have been considered tame. But during a pandemic, when community lockdowns and rigid limits on mass gatherings are the new normal, organisers say the turnout exceeded their expectations.
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