Bro. Eddie says he topped radio survey using texting

Evangelist and Bangon Pilipinas Movement (BPM) standard-bearer Bro. Eduardo Villanueva claimed yesterday that he topped a recent radio survey, just like a most requested song.

The survey — conducted by dzRH from Mar. 8 to 10 through mobile phone text messages — had 53,347 respondents, a number that is "substantially larger than the bases of credible polling firms."

The results of the survey show Villanueva in first place with 30.37 percent of votes cast.

President Arroyo was a far second with 21.14 percent, while actor Fernando Poe Jr. came in third with 16.14 percent.

Independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson garnered 9.1 percent of votes to be in fourth place, while former education secretary Raul Roco was one percent behind Lacson.

Businessman Eddie Gil received the support of 0.04 percent of respondents, garnering a total of 22 votes.

Joe Taruc, the radio station’s manager, said they used a computer program designed to sift legitimate votes from messages sent by multiple "texters."

A BPM statement said there were 3,463 stray votes deducted from the results since these "were determined to multiple responses from the same cell phones."

BPM spokesman Luis Sison said the results of the survey "is a reflection of the strength of the support that Bro. Eddie already has."

Sisson pointed out that the survey may be considered more credible than those conducted by Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations and Ibon Foundation since these poll firms usually base their results on the answers generated by 1,200 to 1,800 respondents.

BPM officials, however, maintained that election surveys are an effective measure of the people’s reaction to events as they unfold and not a scientific gauge of their votes on the May 10 elections.

Villanueva also said he is slowly winning support from voters who find his platforms sound.

A recent Pulse Asia survey found that Villanueva’s proposed program on family planning is supported by 82 to 86 percent of voters who believe that couples should be given autonomy to decide on the size of their family.

"Family size is a matter that has to be decided by the family concerned," Villanueva’s platform primer reads. He is pushing for a platform of governance that focuses on massive renewal and moral recovery in government.

He added that it is necessary to educate all families on the value of life and the can best determine their ideal family size without destroying life.

Villanueva has gathered enough funds to kick off his provincial campaign sorties last Thursday at the Trece Town Plaza in Trece Martirez City in Cavite.

During the past weeks, the BPM has been soliciting P2 from every supporter who attended Villanueva’s rallies.

Villanueva also led three major rallies in Binangonan, Antipolo City and Cainta in Rizal yesterday, and is scheduled to have a motorcade and rally at the Mendoza Park and Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Palawan today.

Sison told The STAR that their machinery is getting stronger as they have been receiving overwhelming financial aid from volunteers and supporters.

"Even without solicitation, they would voluntarily come to us and give support," he said.

Villanueva said this solicitation campaign is what differentiates him from other presidential candidates who pay voters to vote for them.

"In our case, people are giving me money so I can win," he said.

Villanueva, who admitted he cannot sustain a strong machinery without help from his supporters, has pegged the cost of an effective nationwide campaign at P4 billion.

He earlier said he plans to rely on the promises of his supporters to collect at least 14 million votes for him to have a landslide victory in the May polls.