Roco invades Estrada bailiwick

STA. CRUZ, Laguna - Presidential contender Raul Roco barnstormed yesterday this province which is widely touted to be a bailiwick of deposed President Joseph Estrada, bosom buddy of Roco’s rival Fernando Poe Jr.

Roco, standard-bearer of the Al-yansa ng Pag-asa (Alliance of Hope) political party, said he and his party mates were warmly welcomed by the people despite being in the so-called "Erap" country, which was derived from Estrada’s nickname.

"It’s supposed to be an Estrada country but you see how the people here welcome us. They are flashing our ‘I Love You’ (hand sign)," Roco told reporters here.

Roco and company entered through the "backdoor" town of Mabitac from Antipolo City in a motorcade that marked the 18th day of the official campaign period which started Feb. 10.

Estrada won in this vote-rich province during the presidential election of 1998. He was ousted by a peaceful revolt three years later.

Roco’s campaign sortie in this province, however, started off sluggishly.

Alyansa’s jingles in the remote Mabitac and Siniloan towns were scarcely played while "road barkers," who were supposed to rouse the people with the candidates’ arrival, were oftentimes silent.

"They have to make noise to call the attention of the people, especially those inside their houses. Otherwise, they will pass by unnoticed," an observer said.

But Alyansa made up for it when they reached the public markets of Sta. Cruz, Calamba and Los Baños, and residential areas in other towns where the people cried out Roco’s name and excitedly shook hands with the other candidates.

Meanwhile, Roco remains optimistic the seven senatorial candidates of the Alyansa party will catch up with their leading rival bets in public opinion surveys.

In an interview, Roco said he expects his senatorial ticket — composed of Jay Sonza, Frank Chavez, Edno Joson, Bong Coo, Gat Gatmaytan, Mel "Batas" Mauricio and Perfecto Yasay — to gain headway as the campaign season progresses.

"The whole senatorial slate is moving forward. Eventually, they would all be in," Roco said.

Roco assailed political parties that commission surveys mainly for self-promotion.

In the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, Poe, standard-bearer of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) led the presidential race with a score of 37.5 percent over President Arroyo’s 28.7 percent. Roco ranked third with 17.4 percent.

The survey was commissioned by the KNP and covered the period of Jan. 28 to Feb. 6.

"It’s not right to do that. What you commission for yourself, you should not tell," Roco said.

Roco said they have their own "database" which is why they know the recent surveys that have come out do not show reliable figures.

"We also have a database but we use it for our strategic tactical decision," he said.

Surveys, he said, "are virtual reality."

"Nowadays, the surveys are discrediting each other. It’s up to them to redeem themselves. We will not intrude in their problem," Roco said.

In another recent survey by pollster Pulse Asia, Roco’s senatorial slate showed they were ranking between 20 and 28.

The survey said candidates from the administration and opposition parties would be in a close fight if elections were held today.

"By the third week of the campaign, they should be between 14 and 20. By the 12th week, they should be 1 to 7," Roco said.