Binay says fall in presidential survey a ‘wake-up call’

Vice President Vice President Jejomar Binay. CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

The decline in the voters’ preference for Vice President Jejomar Binay in the latest Pulse Asia survey is a “wake-up call” for him.

This was the statement of Binay on Thursday after a recent Pulse Asia Survey showed that Senator Grace Poe has overtaken him in the voters’ presidential preference rating among potential 2016 candidates. Poe got a rating of 30 percent, while Binay had only 22 percent. Binay saw a seven-percentage point drop from his March rating which was 29 percent. Poe, who previously had 14 percent only, saw an increase of 16 percentage points.

READ: Grace Poe now leads presidential survey; Binay falls to 2nd

Binay also reiterated that the next President of the country needs experience and competence, citing that the 2016 elections is about change and uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

READ: ‘Experienced’ Binay takes a dig at ‘inexperienced’ Poe

“Magkakaroon lang ng tunay na pagbabago kung ang ating mga ihahalal ay may karanasan bilang local executive, subok sa krisis, handang maglingkod at may tunay na malasakit sa mahihirap,” Binay said in a statement.

(There will be true change only if we elect someone who has experience as a local executive, someone who has emerged from a crisis and someone who is ready to serve and truly compassionate for the poor.)

While he had long led in previous presidential preference polls, the Vice President said being an “underdog” was not new to him.

“Hindi po ako bago sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ilang beses na akong naging underdog sa aking mga laban (I am not new to this situation. I have been an underdog several times before),”he said, adding that he remains determined to continue doing public service.

He said his camp respects the public’s opinion voiced in the survey.

“Sa aming bahagi, lagi kaming nakikinig sa public opinion at pinapahalagahan namin ito (On our part, we always listen to public opinion and we value it),” he said.

According to him, he would continue to go around the country to listen to the sentiments of the people.

“Lalo ko pa pong pag-iibayuhin ang pagdulog ng direkta sa ating mga kababayan para malaman ko ang tunay nilang damdamin (I will continue to directly consult the people so that I may know their true feelings),” he said.

Binay also thanked the public for their continued support despite massive issues of corruption hurled against him and his family. IDL