A crowd erupted into cheers as Philippine vice president and presidential hopeful Leni Robredo addressed her supporters at an election rally on April 1.

The audience was heard chanting Robredo's name at the gathering held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province. She said: 'Not just Leni, but also Kiko!' referring to her running mate Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan.

An estimated 80,000 people filled more than half of the 1.7-kilometre runway at the old Tagbilaran City Airport where the rally took place.

Robredo is vying for the presidency of the Philippines, and has chosen the colour pink to brand her campaign. She is competing against nine other candidates, including controversial election poll frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

A probe by news agency AFP said that ‘false and misleading claims have flooded Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Twitter in the lead-up to the May 9 polls, pounding Filipinos with a relentless barrage of propaganda on platforms’ in support of Ferdinand Marcos Junior, who uses the nickname ‘Bongbong’.

The Philippines will be holding its national elections on May 9 this year.