By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Sept. 23 (PNA) – Senator Franklin Drilon remains impressed by Liberal Party (LP) presidential aspirant Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II’s ratings despite still trailing in the second spot of the 2016 presidential candidates based on the latest SWS survey.
Drilon, vice chairman of the ruling LP, on Wednesday said the zooming trajectory of Roxas’ ratings “is far more encouraging than the ratings of his rivals.”
”The upward zooming trajectory of Secretary Mar is significant, which have put him at a better position than the others,” he said.
Drilon said six months ago, Roxas just received 4 percent in the survey but “today, he had 20 percent support.”
According to the survey released Sunday night, Roxas also showed huge improvement from 21 percent in June to 39 percent to dislodge Vice President Jejomar Binay in the second spot.
Binay is now in third place with 35 percent from 34 percent in June while Senator Grace Poe continued enjoying the top spot with 47 percent from 42 percent in June survey.
”The others have plateaued, or even lost support. In the case of Secretary Mar, he has a continued trajectory from just four percent six months ago,” Drilon said.
Drilon attributed Roxas’ upward trend to President Benigno Aquino III’s very strong commitment that Roxas, his anointed candidate, will adhere to the principle of ‘Daang Matuwid,’ which the President and Roxas applied for the last five years.
”So this SWS survey gives us encouragement that this platform of good governance and ‘Daang Matuwid’ is the platform that we should follow,” Drilon said.
Roxas will reportedly announce on Monday his running mate.
Meanwhile, Drilon defended Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda for criticizing the messages and platforms of other presidential candidates.
He said there was no need for Lacierda to step down because “he holds his position on the basis of the confidence of the President.”
”We are in a political season. The President is a political leader, Lacierda is the spokesperson of our political leader,” Drilon said. (PNA)