Despite rating drop, Binay says SWS poll shows ‘unwavering support’

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ NINO JESUS ORBETA

Despite being overtaken by Senator Grace Poe in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) electoral poll, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp on Friday said they are grateful for the results.

READ: SWS: Grace Poe tops Binay as most preferred Aquino successor

“Despite the relentless attacks from his opponents, Vice President Jejomar Binay is thankful for the unwavering support as reflected in the SWS survey,” Binay spokesperson Joey Salgado said in a statement.

He said the Vice President “respects” the results and “sees them as barometers of the pulse of the public at a point in time.”

“He will continue to listen to the people,” Salgado said.

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

With almost four months left before the official filing of the certificates of candidacy of those planning to run in the 2016 national elections, Salgado said, “the campaign continues to learn from the ground and adjust its efforts accordingly.”

Among the officials included in the survey, which asked 1,200 respondents last June 5 to 8 who they think would best succeed President Benigno Aquino III, only Binay has announced that he plans to run for president in 2016.

From 36 percent in March 2015, Binay’s rating dropped to 34 percent. Meanwhile, preference for Poe rose from 31 percent in March to 42 percent in June.

Binay has been hounded by various controversies, including the allegedly overpriced Makati parking building. He and his family have been accused of pocketing taxpayers’ money through kickbacks from construction projects in Makati City.

The Vice President’s camp, however, has dismissed the accusations as black propaganda. Months earlier, Binay has been leading the pack but recent surveys show Poe overtaking him among possible presidential candidates.

READ: Poe zooms past Binay