Thread by @maracepeda

Davao del Norte D1 Rep and Partido Reporma pres Bebot Alvarez says P779.406M he had asked Sen Ping Lacson was meant for poll watchers, to help mount a credible campaign. He provides computation how he arrived at the amount. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom

Alvarez: A national party, as well as candidates running for a national post, need poll watchers per polling precincts. As of 2019 data, we have roughly 389,703 polling precincts. #PHVote

Alvarez: During election day, you need two watchers, one for the morning, the other for the afternoon/evening, per precinct. Multiply 389,703 by 2, you need 779,406 watchers. #PHVote

Alvarez: For their allowance, reimbursements of their costs, such as training, food, transportation, etc., it’s safe to estimate that per poll watcher will cost Php 1,000.00, conservatively. #PHVote

Alvarez: Given these considerations, the budget, at the minimum, on election day itself, should be approximately Php 779,406,000.00 for a credible national campaign. But be mindful, this is based on 2019 data. 2022 will have more polling precincts.#PHVote

Alvarez: And poll watchers are merely one of many items on a campaign budget. All candidates and parties are covered by this harsh fiscal reality, no one is exempted. #PHVote

Alvarez: And all campaigns for 2022, perhaps with the exception of the frontrunner, are likely having predicaments with their finances. #PHVote

Alvarez: As the President of Partido Reporma, I was duty-bound to inform our then Chairman about the requirements needed to sustain a credible effort on the ground. #PHVote

Alvarez: Without the ability to cover for these costs, it was only right that we inform our local candidates – from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – and ground personnel about the true state of our fiscal affairs. #PHVote

Alvarez: And that is what I did.

Resultantly, a significant portion of the ground efforts made a decision which we have to respect. #PHVote

Alvarez: If they will continue campaigning substantially on a voluntary basis, they will campaign for the candidate that has a better – and not necessarily a certain – chance at winning. #PHVote

Alvarez: Leni Robredo’s chances at winning, while she is second in the surveys, that ranking is still admittedly a distant second. Yes, as of date, it is a longshot. But in contrast to the other candidates, her longshot is better than longer shot. #PHVote

Alvarez: The 2nd criteria discussed was that the candidate to be supported must also be aligned with the core principles of Partido Reporma, which is govt reform to improve the lives of Filipinos. VP Leni Robredo’s advocacy fits the bill #PHVote

Alvarez: It was then decided that VP Leni Robredo is the best candidate for the task. #PHVote

Alvarez also asks “Kakampinks” to reach out to their barangay captains to help Robredo win: To Leni Robredo’s supporters, the odds are against us… Let us map the political terrain, organize, and mobilize.#PHVote

Alvarez: BBM is at around 60%while Leni is roughly at 15%. For every Leni voter, there are four for BBM. We are outnumbered. And going at this with a scattershot approach, campaigning anywhere and everywhere, while gallant, it will be difficult, tiring, and frustrating. #PHVote

Alvarez: We must play our cards right. And this requires a pivot. #PHVote

Alvarez: There are roughly 42,000 barangays in the Philippines. Leni Robredo’s 15% of 65 million voters is approximately 9.75 million people. The number of her supporters is bigger, way bigger, than 42,000 barangay captains. #PHVote

Alvarez: A change in perspective will show a hidden competitive advantage we can tap. We outnumber barangay captains 232 Leni voters is to 1. #PHVote

Alvarez: And that barangay captain, if we work together with him, especially since he has the existing relationship with local communities at large, builds a bridge that can unlock the doors to victory. #PHVote

Alvarez: If we want to win, and you happen to be unaware of who your barangay captain is, and don’t know where your barangay hall is located, it’s time to ask around and find out. #PHVote

Alvarez: Once you do, visit your local leaders immediately, talk to them, get their phone numbers, and keep the lines of communication open. Ask for their help and, in return, present the value proposition. #PHVote

Alvarez: In exchange for your bgy captain’s support for Leni Robredo, return the favor and pledge your support that when bgy elections come, you will be there campaigning for your barangay captain. This is a good deal. Build the partnership, create the alliance, win the election.

Alvarez: True, other campaigns of presidential candidates can copy the format we prescribed here. But our advantage is the drive and fighting spirit of the Leni Robredo campaign volunteers, in addition to existing political machinery assets. #PHVote

Alvarez: I rarely see this kind of organic groundswell of support. It reminds me of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign. At that time, we faced historic odds against traditional machinery. What kept us afloat was the people’s support. #PHVote

Alvarez: Let us turn the challenges we face, and the immense odds we have to overcome, into our finest hour.

Ipanalo natin to. #PHVote