Bam Aquino sole Otso Diretso bet to enter Pulse Asia’s ‘Magic 12’

MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino was the only opposition candidate to enter the list of the probable winners in the senatorial elections, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed Tuesday.

Aquino placed in the 10-14th spots, with 28.8 percent of the votes, in the latest Pulse Asia survey released less than two weeks before the elections.

Aquino thanked his supporters for his inclusion in the list, underscoring his efforts during his stint in the Senate, particularly the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil dumarami ang naniniwala, nakikiisa, at tumutugon. Salamat po sa mga matatapang at matitiyagang tumulong sa atin na laging buo ang loob at walang pagod,” Aquino said in a statement.

“Itong buong kampanya, idinulog ko po sa ating mga kababayan ang mga tinrabaho natin sa Senado tulad ng pagsasabatas ng Libreng Kolehiyo at ibinahagi ang mga dapat pang gawin para makatulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.

Seven other candidates of the opposition party, however, failed to make it to the survey’s list.

Former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas had 24.5 percent of the votes and placed at the 14-17th spots in the survey.

Other Otso Diretso candidates — Samira Gutoc (5.9 percent, 24th to 29th places); Chel Diokno (5.3 percent, 25th to 31st places); Macaromy Macalintal (5.2 percent, 25th to 31st places); Gary Alejano (5.0 percent, 25th to 32nd places); Erin Tañada (3.6 percent, 27th to 40th places); and Florin Hilbay (3.2 percent, 29th to 43rd places) — also failed to enter the survey’s “Magic 12”.

READ: Poe, Villar share lead in Pulse Asia senatorial survey for April