By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Sept. 30 (PNA) – The continued surge of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II in the presidential survey is a manifestation of what President Benigno Aquino III and his government has achieved for the last five years, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Wednesday.
”In our observation, this is a manifestation of the continued trust of the people to the sincerity of our President and by government in fulfilling the promises,” Coloma said in a Radyo ng Bayan interview.
Based on the September Pulse Asia survey, Roxas got 20 points from only 10 points in May to overtake Vice President Jejomar Binay for second place.
Binay skidded to third place with 19 points from 22 points in May while Senator Grace Poe remains on top with 26 points despite four-point reduction from previous Pulse Asia poll.
Some analysts considered Poe, Binay and Roxas statistically tied for the first place in the recent presidential surveys.
Coloma said the Philippines was dubbed as ‘Sick Man of Asia’ but due to the reforms that President Aquino implemented for the last five years, the country is now among the ‘Asia’s Rising Star’.
”In fact, for the last five years, our economy grew by 6.2 percent on average. It is the highest that we have achieved for the last forty years,” Coloma said.
”Perhaps, the people themselves feel a better life. Now more people can avail of financing for their housing loan due to low interest rates. The high-rise housing projects have mushroomed,” he added.
Last August 28, President Aquino endorsed Roxas as the administration’s candidate for president in the 2016 elections.
Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, widow of former Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, is being groomed as Roxas’ running mate. (PNA)