Former Philippine National Police chief Eleazar.
MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and senatorial candidate General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar was picked by Public Administration students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Lopez, Quezon as one of their most preferred bets to win the May 9 senatorial elections.
Eleazar garnered 35.31 percent of votes and ranked eight among 64 senatorial candidates in a mock election survey conducted by Public Administrators Society (PADS)-Lopez, the official student organization of PUP Lopez Branch (PUPLB) students taking up Bachelor of Public Administration.
“Palagi kong sinasabi na malaki ang gagampanang role ng ating mga kabataan sa pagbabago sa ating lipunan. Kaya naman para malamang ako ay isa sa kanilang pinagkakatiwalaan upang mamuno sa ating bayan ay isang malaking karangalan sa akin,” Eleazar said.
The branch-wide mock election survey dubbed as “Halalan 2022: PUPLB, Kaninong Panig Ka?” was conducted via Google Form from April 4 to 22.
At least 1,671 PUPLB students participated in the survey and Eleazar made it to the students’ “Magic 12.”
Other candidates chosen by the PUP students include Chel Diokno at the top spot, followed by Risa Hontiveros, Chiz Escudero, Raffy Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Alan Peter Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Eleazar, Antonio Trillanes, Leila de Lima, Mark Villar, and Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
“We believe in the true essence of democracy and civic participation of people so we thank everyone who participated in the survey,” the PUP PADS-Lopez said.
“[We] encourage you to vote for not just qualified but deserving candidates in the upcoming 2022 elections, which will be held on May 9. Your decision will shape the Philippines; future,” they added.
Meanwhile, Eleazar vowed to support the empowerment of youth if he wins in the May 9 elections. Among his legislative programs for the youth include pushing for election reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) so they are given governance and financial independence; sports development; financial assistance to students with agri-fishery related courses; and incentives and support to young individuals engaged in filmmaking.
“Tunay ng ana ang mga kabataang naninindigan para sat ama ang tunay na pag-asa ng bayan. Sama-sama nating protektahan, gabayan, at suportahan ang kabataang Pilipino,” he said.
Eleazar is running under the senatorial slate of Partido Reporma.