Local campaign seen to boost chances of Team PNoy bets

MANILA, Philippines - The administration-led coalition yesterday expressed confidence that the start of the campaign for local candidates would further boost the chances of Team PNoy getting a majority of the 12 Senate seats in the May polls. 

Team PNoy spokesman Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo said there would be overwhelming support for the administration’s senatorial candidates at the local level considering that close to 92 percent of all local positions are composed of its allies.            

“We will merge our national campaign with the campaigns of our local candidates. That’s how we see many of our candidates not just solidifying, but also boosting their ratings over the next 40 days,” Quimbo said during a press briefing at the Team PNoy headquarters in Makati City.      

Bam Aquino said there would be no major changes in his campaign strategy.         

Aquino, who has remained steady at number 10 in senatorial surveys, said that he and his Team PNoy colleagues would continue to stick to the issues regardless of how much dirt their rivals are dishing out against them.

Former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that she would continue to inform the public of her platform and track record to boost her candidacy.  Hontiveros was ranked 18th in the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

Senate bets turn to mock polls

Senatorial candidates who have been lagging behind in surveys have sought comfort in online and mock polls.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño and Bro. Eddie Villanueva topped an online survey conducted by a convenience store that had respondents vote online through the purchase of coolers. – With Paolo Romero