Senate bet to ask Supreme Court to stop publication of poll surveys

A candidate for senator will ask the Supreme Court to stop the public announcement of the results of political surveys.

Former immigration commissioner Homobono Adaza, who is running under the Nacionalista Party banner, told reporters yesterday surveys are designed to manipulate the minds of voters as to who would win in the elections.

"How can the 1,600 respondents reflect the thinking of the 3.4 million Filipino voters?" he asked.

Adaza challenged Dr. Mahar Mangahas, chairman of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), and Prof. Felipe Miranda, chairman of Pulse Asia, to base their surveys on the qualifications and programs of government of each candidate.

Adaza said the public announcement of survey results violates the constitutional provision on due process and the chapter on human relations of the Civil Code.

On the other hand, independent candidate Oliver Lozano said surveys cannot decide the "winnability" of a candidate.

"They are not believable," he said. "What should be given credence are what the people tell you and their reactions to you and your platform of government."

Adaza said his platform is to have the $647-million Marcos wealth withdrawn from an escrow account in the Philippine National Bank to help the Arroyo administration fight poverty.

Camilo Sabio, another independent candidate, agreed with Adaza and Lozano that surveys have a psychological effect on people.

"But regardless of the results of the surveys, my supporters will vote for me," he said.

Sabio said when he run as delegate from Davao del Norte in the 1971 Constitutional Convention, surveys placed him on the 26th slot, but after the results came out he overwhelmingly won. –Sandy Araneta