LP solon to partymates: Think twice about switching parties

Liberal Party (LP) members who are thinking about moving to another political party should think twice now that Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II moved up in the latest Pulse Asia survey only shows the ruling party will remain in power beyond 2016, an administration ally said Monday.

 

“With this impressive showing of Secretary Mar, without campaigning… wag na silang mag-isip [na lumipat] dahil 2016 and beyond ay administration pa rin,” Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone told reporters.

 

The results of the Pulse Asia survey conducted from September 8 to 15 showed Roxas was the preferred presidential candidate of 13 percent of respondents, up from seven percent in June. Preference for Vice President Jejomar Binay dropped by 10 percentage points to 31 percent although he remains to be the top choice for President.

 

Pulse Asia attributed the decline in Binay’s lead to the recent string of corruption-related controversies hounding him and his family.  A Pulse Asia executive said negative reports about his alleged involvement in the reported overpricing of the P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building II was the biggest factor that contributed to the drop in his ratings.

 

Roxas benefited from Binay’s slide

 

While the LP expected Binay’s numbers to drop, Evardone said they were curious to know who would benefit from his fall.

 

“Ang inaabangan namin ay sino ang magiging beneficiary nitong pag-slide [ng ratings] ni Vice President Binay. Obviously si Mar ngayon ang lumalabas na beneficiary,” he said.

 

Evardone said Roxas’ figures improved even though he had yet to start campaigning ahead of the 2016 polls.

 

Despite trailing behind Binay in the latest survey, the LP still thinks Roxas can win as the next President, Evardone said.

 

“Noon pa ang tingin na namin [kay Sec. Roxas ay isang viable, winnable and credible candidate. Wala siyang issue ng corruption,” he said.

 

For his part, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, another LP stalwart, believes corruption will be the biggest issue presidential candidates will have to confront in the run-up to the next polls.

                                                 

“Ability, integrity and capability to govern should prime qualities that our electorate should look for among the candidates who will run in 2016,” he said. —NB, GMA News