Robredo unfazed by Otso Diretso bets’ rank in recent survey

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday brushed off the low rank of Otso Diretso senate bets in the recent senatorial survey, saying it is just a “guide” for voters.

“I think those surveys should serve only as a guide for candidates in planning their campaign,” Robredo told reporters in Filipino after the signing of the covenant of Otso Diretso, a group of senatorial candidates running in the May 2019 elections.

Citing her own experience in running for Vice President in 2016, she said opposition candidates may still get higher voter preference percentage during the campaign period.

Robredo noted that in 2016, many people thought her candidacy was hopeless.”Hindi masyadong pinapansin dahil mababa sa surveys (I was often ignored because I rank low in surveys),” Robredo said.

“Pero sa campaign period, nakaya namang humabol (But during the campaign period, I was able to catch up),” she added.

Robredo said she is confident that the Otso Diretso candidates could still get voter’s attention as they are different from other Senate bets. Since it is only the start of February, there is still plenty of times for the candidates to introduce themselves to the voters.

“Confident naman ako na kapag nakilala iyong mga kandidato natin, talagang natatangi naman sila kumpara sa iba (I am confident that our candidates will stand out from the rest),” Robredo said.

In the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, only Senator Bam Aquino and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas entered the Magic 12. Roxas tied with former senator Bong Revilla at the 8th and 9th spot, with a voter preference of 38 percent. Aquino, on the other hand, nabbed the 11th spot, with 33 percent voter preference.

READ: Poe keeps lead in new SWS survey; Dela Rosa out of ‘Magic 12’ 

The other Otso Diretso candidates who did not make it to the Magic 12 include Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, lawyers Romulo Macalintal, Chel Diokno, and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada. /ee