No handshakes: Philippine presidency hopefuls open campaigns on Tuesday (Feb 8)

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (centre) greets his supporters during a motorcade promoting his presidential bid in the 2022 national elections in Manila, Philippines Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Campaigning in the Philippines’ presidential election started Tuesday with a cast of candidates led by a late dictator’s son and the pro-democracy current vice president, with all vowing to bail out a country driven deeper into poverty by the pandemic and plagued by gaping inequalities and decades-long insurgencies. - AP

MANILA, Feb 8 (AP): Campaigning in the Philippines’ presidential election started Tuesday with a cast of candidates led by a late dictator’s son and the pro-democracy current vice president, with all vowing to bail out a country driven deeper into poverty by the pandemic and plagued by gaping inequalities and decades-long insurgencies.

The official three-month election campaign for national posts, including the president and separately elected vice president and half of the 24-seat Senate, opened under tough anti-virus restrictions including a ban on handshakes, kissing, hugging and tightly packed crowds aimed at dampening the carnival-like rallies that have been the hallmark of Philippine elections.

Social media has become a key battleground in the May 9 elections given the restrictions with many fearing disinformation could worsen in an intense race.