Sen. Gregorio Honasan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Despite his big drop in the latest Social Weather Station survey, Senator Gringo Honasan remained confident that he would return to the Magic 12 without spending for “expensive” political advertisements.
“I have to be confident not only for my sake but for the sake of the Filipino people,” said Honasan, who slid from 5th to 6th in January to 15th place in the SWS survey conducted from February 15 to 17.
Instead of “sourgraping,” Honasan said he would use the latest survey as an inspiration for him to work harder.
Asked what could be the reason why his ranking suddenly dropped in the latest survey, the senator said in mix of Filipino and English, “That’s beyond my capacity to answer. I just look at it positively. I will work harder. I have been a senator for the last 15 years so there’s no problem.”
“Besides, it’s too early to make conclusions. I will just work very well. I know that I have a solid record to stand on… I will really work harder because I don’t think the surveys will determine who will compose the next Senate,” he added.
Honasan, who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said he would stick to his old campaign by going directly to the people.
Besides, unlike other candidates, he said, he has no resources to pay for expensive political advertisements or popular endorsers.
“I will work within the limitations of my resources. But basically I will go directly to the people,” he said.
Asked if the lack of support from UNA could have contributed to the sudden drop of his ranking in the survey, Honasan refused to comment, saying he would not like to sound that he was sourgraping.
“I just work on my strengths and on my weaknesses for the campaign to be effective by going directly to the people. I don’t have the capacity to pay for expensive infomercials,” he said.