Survey: JV is top newbie senatorial candidate

By Macon Ramos-Araneta | Posted on September 18, 2012 |

 

SAN Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, is the most popular first-time candidate for the Senate, according to the survey pollster Pulse Asia conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 7.
The 42-year-old Ejercito actually tied for third rank with incumbent Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who also got a survey respondent preference of 49.9 percent, behind survey topnotcher, re-electionist Sen. Loren Legarda (67.3 percent) and re-electionist Sen. Francis Escudero (61.2 percent).
But Ejercito was the highest-ranking among the newbie senatorial candidates, followed by Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (who was at fourth with 47.4 percent), Aurora Rep. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (10th at 35.9 percent), former congresswoman Cynthia Villar (11th at 32.7 percent) and Ma. Lourdes “Nancy” Binay (12th at 27.4 percent).
At fifth to 9th were re-electonist Senators Antonio Trillanes IV (41.2 percent); Gregorio Honasan II (40.6 percent); and, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (39.2 percent) and former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (37.4 percent).
Asked about the survey results, Legarda said it inspires her more to work even harder for the people.
“I thank God and I thank the Filipino people. The result of the recent Pulse Asia Survey inspires me to work harder and do more especially for the poor and needy because people appreciate the work that I am doing,” Legarda said.
She stressed that with several more months before the 2013 elections, she will continue championing environment protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, women’s and children’s rights, better opportunities for the poor through viable rural livelihoods and protecting the welfare of Filipino workers.
“We should never be complacent, we must always work hard for the very people who have given us the chance to serve them,” said Legarda who admitted that these numbers are flexible, and not permanent.
“One or two, you are still a senator. One or twelve, you’re still a senator. But I can’t deny that I feel happy if you know that the people appreciate what you’re doing, and they feel the job you’re doing. I will work harder,” she said.
Legarda maintains she is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition of which she has been a member since 2007 and she intends to announce on Monday if she will be a guest candidate either for the United Nationalist Alliance or the ruling Liberal Party. (END)