Noynoy's cousin says he is no longer connected with Pulse Asia

MANILA, Philippines - A cousin of Sen. Benigno Aquino III said yesterday he has already divested himself of interests in Pulse Asia since the Liberal Party standard-bearer decided to run for president last September.

Rafael Lopa was reacting to insinuations that his being a member of Pulse Asia’s board of directors is creating doubts on the integrity of the results of Pulse Asia’s surveys where Aquino continues to top the list of presidential aspirants.

“I already divested myself from Pulse Asia,” he said.

“I am no longer a director of Pulse Asia. I am no longer involved in Pulse Asia. I divested when Noynoy decided to run for president.”

Lopa said that since 2008, Pulse Asia has been operated by Prof. Felipe Miranda.

“I want to tell the people at this point in time that the people who are running Pulse Asia and their workers are very professional,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the survey has been conducted in the best way and professionally by the people who are running Pulse Asia. The surveys are indications of where the people are.”

Aquino got 44 percent in Pulse Asia’s October survey on Filipinos’ preferences for the May 2010 elections.

Sen. Manuel Villar landed a distant second with 19 percent; Sen. Francis Escudero, third with 13 percent and former President Joseph Estrada, 11 percent.                     – Jose Rodel Clapano