He said he opted to start his campaign by asking divine help and blessing, instead of going out to show force and public support.
"Sa lahat ng labanan sa istorya ng buong daigdig, ang unang hakbang ay humingi ng tulong sa Maykapal," Roco told reporters while leaving Villa San Miguel Compound.
Mediamen were not allowed inside Villa San Miguel on the request of Cardinal Sin due to his health condition.
Roco was accompanied by his running mate Herminio Aquino, and seven senatorial bets of his coalition, Alyansa ng Pag-Asa, namely, Jay Sonza, Francisco Chavez, Edno Joson, Bong Coo, Nick Gatmaytan, Mel "Batas" Mauricio, and Perfecto Yasay Jr.
"Kaya kami pumunta dito, hindi para sa political support, kundi sa pagdudulot ng aming kakayahan para sa laban na makakatulong sa kabataan at sa mahirap. We dedicate this campaign to the young and the poor. We need their participation and they must be empowered," he said.
Roco said he hopes to get the support of the youth sector because it is a potent force that could enable him to administer effectively if he gets elected. He noted that the youth comprise 75 percent of the population.
He, however, said he would also solicit the support of senior citizens because their existence are as important as that of the young ones.
From Villa San Miguel, Roco and his party proceeded to Jose Rizal University where he was swarmed by schoolchildren, and later to Nueve de Pebrero Public Market, and SM Megamall, where they toured along with hundreds of young supporters who wore red and called themselves "Roco’s Youth Army."
They, then, met with the urban poor people at DM Compound, Heroes Del 96, Barangay 73 in Caloocan City. Roco’s party ended their first campaign trip at the Quezon Memorail Circle where they held a prayer vigil.
Roco said the itinerary of his ticket symbolizes the direction of its campaign. "Ngayon, dasal, then mall, because ‘yun ang tambayan ng mga RSR ," he added. RSR stands for a group of Roco supporters.
Today, Roco will go to Naga, his hometown, in Camarines Sur and other parts of the Bicol region for Pag-Asa’s grand rally.
Asked by reporters if he would be willing to talk to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo following reports that Malacanang is wooing him into her camp, Roco said he would as he does to ordinary folks.
"I talk to the tricycle driver. I talk to the janitor. I talk to the security guard. Why shouldn’t I talk to the President?" he said.
"But (not) if the results of such civility will be transformed into propaganda. Out of sheer respect for human beings, you should not tell lies about them. We demand respect, and if the President cannot find it in herself to respect others, that’s too bad. She should not get elected," Roco said.
