Still early to talk about 2019 polls, says Roque on new senatorial survey

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque–INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang said Monday that it was still premature to comment on the result of the latest pre-election Pulse Asia survey, which showed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in the top 12.

“None. It’s not yet election,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing when sought to comment on the latest senatorial survey.

“The Palace has no position yet on that because the elections is still far,” he added.

Some allies of President Rodrigo Duterte made it to the so-called “Magic 12” in the June 2018 nationwide pre-election survey of Pulse Asia, but other administration officials who have been publicly endorsed by the President remains to be cellar dwellers.

READ: Pulse Asia: Poe still frontrunner in pre-May 2019 polls

Aside from Duterte-Carpio and Dela Rosa, other Duterte allies were also in the top 12, namely: Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) President and former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senator Cynthia Villar, and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.

In his public speeches, Duterte has repeatedly endorsed Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, who was in the 23rd to 31st spot of the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey.

Go, however, remains coy about his plans to run for senator in the May 2019 elections.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino was also along the same rank with Go in the survey. Like Go, he is yet to declare plans to join in the senatorial race next year.

Roque, whom the President endorsed to run for a Senate seat, ranked 25th to 33rd in the survey.

For now, Roque said, they are focused on doing their job as members of the Duterte Cabinet.

“Wala naman pong eleksiyon. Lahat kami nakatutok sa trabaho ngayon, so wala naman po ‘yang ibig sabihin sa amin,” he said.

(There is no election yet. All of us are focused in our jobs. So it [survey] does not have any meaning for us.)                               /kga