Rep. JV Estrada: Banking on LP local officials’ support
MANILA, Philippines—Liberal Party campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon is not a happy camper despite the surveys showing administration coalition Team PNoy candidates dominating the top 12 slots in the senate race.
That’s because, according to opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidate Rep. JV Estrada, even LP members like provincial governors and municipal mayors do not believe Drilon’s hype of a 12-0 Team PNoy election sweep.
“Many local LP officials have secretly committed to support me. I’m sure Drilon is not pleased with this development, especially since he is going for 12-0,” said Estrada in a text message.
Drilon did not reply to the Inquirer.
Estrada said that while Team PNoy candidates had been ruling the surveys, taking between eight and nine of the top 12 slots, he expected the administration governors, mayors and other officials to be a major factor in the homestretch of the campaign.
“Of course, the ruling party will always be strong but it is highly impossible it will carry all the Team PNoy candidates. You cannot discount personal relationships and friendships,” he said.
Aside from Estrada, another UNA senatorial candidate who has managed to break the Team PNoy lock on the surveys is also counting on the support of LP members, specifically President Aquino and his sisters.
Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said she expected allies of her father in the “Yellow Army” to ignore party lines and vote for her in May. The Yellow Army refers to supporters of the late President Corazon Aquino.
Team PNoy has a full slate of 12 senatorial candidates while UNA has only nine.