Emotional support for Aquino fading--Pimentel

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:47:00 01/09/2010



Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Inquirer Politics, Politics


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100109-246410/Emotional-support-for-Aquino-fading--Pimentel


MANILA, Philippines—The poll ratings of Sen. Benigno Aquino III have gone down as the emotional high from the loss of his mother wanes, according to Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

“Well, I guess the emotional content of the support for Noynoy is probably fading because as you will notice, his highest rating was immediately after the death and burial of his mother,” Pimentel said at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum.

Pimentel added that if Aquino's ratings are tallied and put side-by-side, the downward slide of his numbers would be apparent.

Aquino decided to run for President shortly after the passing of former President Corazon Aquino, whose wake and burial were joined by hundreds of thousands of grieving Filipinos.

Since then, Aquino has been on top, although the numbers have gone down. In the November 4-8 survey of the Social Weather Stations, Aquino's rating was at 59 percent. In the December 5-10 survey, it was 46 percent.

A recent survey showed that aspiring president Sen. Manuel Villar has managed to cut Aquino's lead. Before Aquino joined the race, Villar was the front runner.

Pimentel support Villar for President.

Lakas Kampi senatorial candidate Silvestre Bello III believes Villar's numerous advertisements have worked for him.

“Maybe the sheer number of informercials of one candidate was the reason he has caught up,” Bello told reporters at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum.

Since announcing his plans to run for President, Villar has been inundating the airwaves with his commercials. At least two TV advertisements feature catchy jingles, while another showcases popular comedian Michael V.

Aquino has put out two TV ads. One was a music video studded with celebrities from the country's top two networks. The other was a Christmas greeting thanking the Filipinos for condoling with the Aquino family during their time of grief.

Bello also noted that someone on top has no way to go but down, and vice versa.

The recent developments in the ratings game was also good for administration standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro, he said. With Aquino's numbers not shooting up anymore, and Teodoro's ratings improving, the gap between the two is narrower.

But though smaller, Teodoro's numbers are still not within striking distance of the front runner. The latest Social Weather Stations survey, commissioned by Villar's party, showed that Aquino had 44 percent while Teodoro remained at five percent.

Still, Teodoro was improving since he started with a 0.5 percent rating, Bello pointed out.

In a statement, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino said the survey results indicated that the people largely remain undecided about whom to choose for President.

“The elections are not over yet, contrary to the belief of the civil society groups supporting Noynoy. His lead is not invincible and just like the other presidentiables, he, too, is vulnerable,” Rep. Aquino said.

He also said voters are not making their choices based on emotion. They are becoming more mature and are looking at candidates' accomplishments, experience and capability, he added.

In the same statement, Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio said that if Villar's ratings could go up, so could Teodoro's.


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100109-246410/Emotional-support-for-Aquino-fading--Pimentel