By Jonas Cabiles SoltesInquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 17:34:00 12/22/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Eleksyon 2010
Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091222-243452/Aquino-Teodoros-surge-in-surveys-not-enough
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines —Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the frontrunning presidential aspirant in surveys, acknowledged on Tuesday the surge in the latest Pulse Asia survey of his cousin and rival, former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro, but he said it would not be enough for him to contend and be victorious in May.
“My younger cousin’s increase in figures in the latest survey, I admit, is dramatic,” Aquino said.
The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted the first week of December showed Teodoro up by three points from his previous survey rating.
“But the increase is only in terms of small numbers,” said Aquino.
He said it would be hard for Teodoro to build enough momentum in the four months leading to the elections.
“He still has to catch up by at least 20 percent, and his showering of praises for the President would only lower his ratings,” said Aquino.
“I believe majority of the Filipinos would not support somebody who belongs to the administration, considering the unpopularity of the President,” he said, referring to Teodoro.
He said he was also confident that his ratings would not go down until May, “although they have been trying to bring the numbers down.”
He said he would not experience what the late Senator Raul Roco had gone through in the 2004 elections.
Then, Roco peaked too early in surveys conducted months before election day.
“Although some surveys show my rating going down, my survey ratings relative to those of the other candidates remain constant,” Aquino observed.
He said he and his campaign planners were considering the period from Nov. 20 to Feb. 8, the day before the national campaign period begins, as the “dead period” for critical and strategic planning on the campaign.
He said he could still build enough momentum to maintain his considerable lead, noting he had yet to visit many areas in the country.
But he also acknowledged the effects of infomercials on television.
“The infomercials could cause a reversal in the trends, considering that some candidates are pouring in money for ads, which I admit, have impact on election trends.”
He also dismissed the survey trend showing Senator Loren Legarda catching up with his running mate, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas.
“That’s a seasonal glitch. It’s just the effect of name recall,” he said.
Aquino was in this city Tuesday with Senator Mar Roxas and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo to pay visit to Mayon eruption evacuees in three schools here and in Daraga, where he said he would pursue relocation for the residents around the so-called danger zones in Legazpi City if he won the presidency.
“It would be impractical if we rebuild villages every after Mayon eruption when those villages have been constantly under threat,” he said.
Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20091222-243452/Aquino-Teodoros-surge-in-surveys-not-enough
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