Pinoy VOTE

THE Arroyo administration belittled a latest Pulse Asia survey in Manila which showed nine of the 12 opposition candidates would win if the senatorial polls were held today, saying Team Unity would put up a good showing due to its superior machinery.

Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser for political affairs, said the findings were expected because the survey was commissioned by the opposition through Ricky de Guzman, a nephew of President Joseph Estrada

"Predictable ang magiging resulta niyan as far as the opposition is concerned. Pangalawa, it has not factored in or taken into account yet the machinery that is going to be largely responsible for the victory, the expected victory of the administration ticket," he said.

He added that the opposition failed to muster enough supporters in Iloilo, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled rally last Thursday.

"If the opposition cannot even have a rally in a province whose chief executive, whose local executive is identified with the opposition, where else can the opposition have a rally? …Where else can the opposition conduct a viable campaign? This is very reflective of the entire situation that befalls the opposition between now and the end of the campaign. We expect the efforts of the campaign of the opposition to go from bad to worse," Claudio said.

Claudio said they are not expecting a sweep but a good showing of about 8-4 or 9-3 in their favor.

The survey, conducted from Feb. 10 to 12, covered 600 respondents from Manila.

The results as ranked from No. 1: Loren Legarda (GO), Panfilo Lacson (GO), Francis Escudero (GO), Alan Peter Cayetano (GO), Francis Pangilinan (Ind.), Benigno Aquino III (GO), Gregorio Honasan (Ind.),

Ralph Recto (Team Unity) and Vicente Sotto (Team Unity), Manuel Villar (GO), Joker Arroyo (Team Unity) and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III (GO).

At 13th to 17th places were Edgardo Angara (Team Unity), John Osmeña (GO), Mike Defensor (Team Unity), Antonio Trillanes IV (GO) and Sonia Roco (GO).

Claudio said has not commissioned any survey as it prefers to rely on regular surveys conducted by independent polling outfits, the results of which are expected this month.

He said once the campaign for local candidates starts on March 30, they expect the ranking of the senatorial candidates to change.

"This is when we expect the machinery of the coalition made up of five or six major political parties…to go into full throttle and this will make a great big difference as far as the momentum of coalition candidates is concerned. We do expect that the emergence of the machinery of the administration will spell the victory of Team Unity," he said.

Team Unity spokesman Joseph Ace Durano said also dismissed the results because the survey was limited to Manila.

He said there were cases in 2004 where candidates who ranked well in surveys failed to land in the Magic 12.

"May hindi malakas sa survey pero nanguna sa eleksyon. Iba nga mataas sa survey at hindi nakapwesto sa Senado," he said.

He added Team Unity is not demoralized by the surveys and prefers to concentrate on its campaign, particular in the provinces, through the "pulong-sulong."

Claudio said the "pulong-sulong," which is derived from the "pulong-bayan" of President Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro in the 2004 elections, is more economical and has wider reach.

‘GUTTER’ ISSUES

Claudio said Team Unity is prepared to debate even if it includes controversial and "gutter" issues like the "Hello Garci" scandal and the legitimacy of President Arroyo.

"It is the opposition’s own lookout if they want to raise issues that belong to the past, issues that have been addressed and have undergone the legal and judicial processes," he said.

He said every Team Unity candidate has his field of expertise, advocacies and platforms.

Claudio said the expertise of Vicente Magsaysay is on transportation, tourism, and local governance; Edgardo Angara on education and economic development; Prospero Pichay on agriculture and agrarian reform; Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Mindanao progress and Muslim and tribal concerns;

Juan Miguel Zubiri on utilities and development, particularly energy and water; Michael Defensor on nationwide shelter security; Ralph Recto on investments enhancement and fiscal reforms; Luis Singson on technology and telecommunications; and Cesar Montano on youth and sport development;

Vicente "Tito" Sotto on non-governmental organizations, and people and sectoral participation in governance; Joker Arroyo on observance of human rights and promotion of justice and Teresa Aquino-Oreta on protection of women and children.

Claudio said it does not matter whether the debate is held at Plaza Miranda or in a television studio as long as the rules are mutually agreed upon and fall within the Comelec guidelines.

Claudio said there is a problem on coordination with the opposition.

"They themselves do not know how to coordinate among themselves. Hindi nga nila malaman kung saan gagawin ang mga rallies or kung sino ang campaign manager, kung GO or G-A-G-O," he said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the debate will draw out the best ideas from aspiring leaders on growing investments, delivering infrastructure and services, fighting terror and defeating poverty. Malaya