Hagedorn confident of winning Senate seat with local execs’ help

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CALAMBA CITY, Philippines — Despite lagging behind in the Social Weather Station (SWS) surveys, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn is confident he can win a Senate seat through the support of local government officials.

Hagedorn hit the recent SWS survey, conducted from April 13-15, that showed him on the 19th spot, saying the pre-election survey “never included voters from Palawan” where he has been mayor for the longest time.

“Although it is a science, we also all know that surveys are influenced by the one commissioning it,” he said.

Hagedorn, who is running as an independent candidate, also lamented the high costs of campaign ads on television. “Only the rich candidates like (Cynthia) Villar and those with (political) parties could afford them,” he said.

Hagedorn targets to visit the 20 vote-rich provinces. He was in Laguna on Monday, with the local candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), and was in Cavite just last week.

“Out of the 20, we have been to 12-15 provinces in which all expressed their warm reception,” he said.

Hagedorn has been lobbying for the removal of the 9-year term limit of local chief executives and promises to be the “conduit” between the national government programs and local government units.

He added that he has been welcomed by both coalitions, United Nationalist Alliance and Team PNoy, despite President Aquino’s “12-0” endorsement for the Liberal Party candidates.

“But even with that, I am still within striking distance. The numbers will show on the election day itself,” he said.