Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has downplayed the latest Pulse Asia survey results showing Vice President Jejomar Binay’s numbers again plunging by five percentage points—from 31 points in the 3rd quarter down to 26 points in the last quarter of 2014.
“What is important here is that the feared free fall in VP Binay’s numbers has been arrested. His biggest drop was during the 3rd quarter survey when his numbers dropped by a whopping 10 points, from 41 to 31. The VP’s 5 percent drop in the latest survey could be considered as marginal,” said Gatchalian, who represents the 1st District of Valenzuela City.
Gatchalian said the fact that VP Binay is still the presidential frontrunner, up by 8 percentage points from second placer Senator Grace Poe, is a strong indication that he is still the top choice by majority of the Filipino people to lead the country “if the 2016 elections were held today.”
Results of the nationwide survey, conducted from Nov. 14 to 20, showed that Binay continued to lead the pack of potential candidates for president with a 26-percent rating. The survey covered 1,200 respondents, 18 years old and above, and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
“VP Binay’s current ratings have already `plateaued,’ meaning that there is no way for the vice president’s number to go but up. They have thrown everything at him, including the kitchen sink. And despite the massive negative media attacks, Binay is still the top choice for president,” Gatchalian pointed out.
Gatchalian attributed the staying power of VP Binay in the presidential race not only to his solid track record as local chief executive for 20 years but also to his appeal and charisma to ordinary Filipinos in the provinces.
He also explained that VP Binay’s detractors overdid their negative campaign by including issues like the Makati City condominium and the Dingalan, Aurora property which turned out to be “kuryente” or bum steer, but which some media entities accepted as “gospel truth.”
“The public has a saturation point wherein an overload of information will result to confusion and subsequent perception that everything being thrown against VP Binay is pure political propaganda,” Gatchalian concluded. (Monica Cantilero)
