MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Friday welcomed the results of the recent University of the Philippines (UP) mock poll where he emerged as the most preferred presidential candidate among students.
“In all mock elections and surveys, my response has been the same. I am thankful to those who support us and for acknowledging what the straight path has brought to our country and our people,” Roxas told reporters at the LP’s Balay headquarters in Quezon City.
“For those who are not yet supporting us, we are asking them for an opportunity to present our platform and our track record. These are not ‘I hope’ or ‘I wish.’ These are concrete proofs that we have achieved something,” he added.
A total of 2,588 students joined the mock elections organized by the UP Alpha Sigma fraternity. The mock polls were held from September 7 to 30 and focused on first time voters.
Roxas topped the polls with 598 votes followed by Sen. Grace Poe with 572 and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 512.
Behind them were Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 491 votes, Sens. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Francis Escudero with 68 each, Vice President Jejomar Binay with 52, former senator Panfilo Lacson with 40, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with 36, Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo with eight votes and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with six.
Marcos, Escudero, Cayetano, Trillanes and Robredo have declared their intention to run for vice president. As of Friday, it remains unsure if Duterte will seek higher office next year.
A total of 126 students did not choose anyone for president.
Santiago got the highest vote in the mock vice presidential race with 428 votes followed by Escudero with 405 and Poe with 377.
Santiago previously said she is open to running for president but has yet to make a formal announcement.