It has become a toil.

That, in brief, expressed the anguish of Lakas-CMD-Kampi senatorial aspirant Raul Lambino, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino and even Lakas-Kampi-CMD deputy secretary general Ray Roquero as far as the current campaign is concerned.

Lambino said he is relying on a network of friends, relatives and Alpha Phi Omega fraternity brothers and sisters to help him sustain the national campaign while Casino, who subbed for Makabayan coalition senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo, said Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza are working double-time to overcome what they lack in media exposure.

Casino said Maza has been in the hospital for two days due to fatigue while Ocampo had to campaign practically overnight before catching his early morning flights to the Visayas and beyond.

“We have a few TV spots and both Satur and Liza have to share in these 15-seconders. But we are pleased with the outpouring of support from our party-list allies who have been doing house-to-house campaigns in Bicol, Mindanao, Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Eastern and Western Visayas and in Metro Manila,” Casino added.

Lambino said he is handicapped by the sheer financial requirement of the campaign but noted the party is providing logistical support even as he is busy forging coalitions with local candidates and party-list groups.

In the meantime, he is working full-blast in Metro Manila, his home province of Pangasinan, Northern Luzon and other places to overcome his shortcomings.

“I have yet to visit the Visayas but I hope my fraternity brothers and sisters, along with organizations of my fellolw lawyers, are pitching in for me. Many of them have been supplying me with posters and flyers and even pocket calendars. Alam naman nila na mahirap lamang tayo,” Lambino stressed.