Presidential aspirant Leni Robredo clarified her lead in spending when it comes to campaign ads on Facebook while stressing her supporters did it to combat “fake news” and disinformation.
Up to P14.1 million worth of Facebook advertisements were spent for Vice President Leni Robredo between August 4, 2020, to December 31, 2021. It appeared in FB’s Ad Library, making her number one of all presidential aspirants on the platform.
“From the official campaign, none that I’m aware of. Ang alam ko talaga, karamihan talaga dito mga volunteer groups,” said Robredo, Thursday, when asked by the ANC if their campaign team spent on it.
“I understand why our volunteers feel the need to do that because it has been clear over the past five years and going into the campaign na grabe talaga ang social media machinery ng kalaban.”
The bulk of such paid advertisements was posted after she filed her certificate of candidacy in October 2021.
Despite this, the Ad Library does not detail how much the candidates spend to make the ads, fees to social media experts who hold accounts etc. It also does not cover the fees to social media “influencers” who endorse on FB.
Robredo explains being top spender on Facebook ads
Robredo, who is widely viewed as the frontrunner of the opposition in the 2022 elections, added that her opponents have “troll armies” spreading fake information and personalization.
“Kaya marami talaga sa volunteer groups namin, yung perception nila, kailangan talaga nilang tumulong. Every time we meet, yun ang kinakatakutan, ‘to na naman ang fake news, kailangan natin ‘tong labanan,'” Robredo said.
“Parang yung sense of urgency din sa kanila nandun. Kaya everyone else is doing their share.”
It was only in December 2021 when her fellow presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso denied allegedly spending P305.9 million on television commercials before the formal campaign season. He is now considered by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) as a top spender on such traditional media platforms.
It was November when presidential aspirant Ka Leody de Guzman called for a ban on the commercialized premature campaigning of 2022 bets, something that allegedly gives a huge advantage on rich candidates.
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