MANILA, Philippines–The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday congratulated Sen. Grace Poe on her surge in popularity among voters, but also reminded everyone that she had not said anything about running for President in 2016.
“Congratulations and we are truly happy for Grace, because we are the true allies and supporters of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr.,” UNA interim president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said in a statement.
The official party of Binay, whose Pulse Asia ratings plunged by 5 percentage points from 31 percent to 26 percent in the third quarter, appeared to take comfort in Poe’s statements that she had no intention of contesting the 2016 presidential election.
Senator Grace Poe. FILE PHOTO
“We respect her when she said several times that she’s not ready for the presidency. She realizes the burdens on a neophyte. The challenges of running the country are much bigger and Senator Poe realizes this,” Tiangco said.
The number of people who would vote for Poe for President if the election were held today jumped to 18 percent from 10 percent in the previous quarter, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. Binay is currently ahead of her by 8 points.
Link to FPJ
Tiangco called attention to Binay’s connection with Poe’s late father, popularly known by his initials FPJ, noting that Binay was still Makati mayor when he was put in charge of the overall management of FPJ’s 2004 presidential campaign.
“Binay was among the first to go to the hospital when he heard that FPJ suffered a stroke,” Tiangco said.
He said Binay was not bothered by the drop in his popularity, noting that the Vice President remained the top choice for President.
“No matter what the numbers are, the Vice President will just be focused on his commitment to uplift the lives of each and every Filipino,” Tiangco said.
“He will put his best effort in providing homes for the homeless and those living in danger zones, in taking care of the welfare of the [overseas Filipino workers] and in providing basic social services, especially free healthcare and hospitalization to those in need,” he added.
Drop predicted
Tiangco said the 5 percentage-point drop in the Vice President’s November Pulse Asia survey was exactly what he predicted in September.
“When I was interviewed in September, I said the 10-point drop at that time was better than the 15 points that we were getting ourselves ready for. I also said that if ever there will be a drop in December, it will not be more than 5 points, and that’s exactly what the results show—and according to Pulse Asia, this is marginal,” Tiangco said.
As for Poe, Tiangco said: “I am sure that she will worry those who want to run for VP, since she has already categorically said in many past interviews that she is not ready for the presidency, but she has never said that she is not interested in the vice presidency.”
Gloria’s allies
Tiangco also warned Poe to be “wary” of certain people in the Liberal Party (LP). Poe was one of the guests at the LP Christmas party in Malacañang last week. Sen. Francis Escudero was also there.
“It just shows the true colors of the MAD (Mar, Abad, Drilon) LP faction. These are users, manipulators and opportunists. These are the same people who were allies [of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo], when FPJ ran against GMA,” Tiangco said.
In 2004, “the Liberal Party mocked FPJ’s presidential bid and even denied him a recount of votes during the national canvassing,” he said.
“These are the same people who belittled FPJ in the past. These are the same people who did not want to open the election returns during the canvassing in [the House]. If Grace believes that her father was cheated and that caused his death, I don’t know how Grace feels when she sees these faces,” he added.