Administration coalition to push extra hard for lagging candidates

Proclamation rally of Team PNOY led by president Benigno Aquino III (center) at historic Plaza Miranda,Quiapo, Manila.In photo from left former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Sen. Francis Escudero, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, former senator Jamby Madrigal,  Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Grace Poe, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara. INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MEYCAUAYAN CITY, Philippines—The administration coalition would come up with “a special push” for the three or four laggards among its senatorial candidates, one of those outside Pulse Asia’s top 12 told reporters on Wednesday.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said the coalition, better known as Team PNoy,  campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon has already announced that there would be increased efforts to prop up his candidacy and those of former senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Jamby Madrigal as well as former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

“There would be a special push for those of us within striking distance in terms of media exposure, advocacy and advertising,” Angara told reporters.

Angara said that for his part he would have a new TV ad in a couple of weeks. His celebrity endorsers include singer-actress Sarah Geronimo and actor Coco Martin.

“Our awareness is still low at 80 percent.  It should be at 90 percent,” Angara said.