NAGA, Philippines — Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo has the edge to win as vice-president in her vote-rich home province, but it would be Sen. Grace Poe who will get its support in the presidential race, according to its former governor Luis “LRay” Villafuerte Jr.
Villafuerte and his son, the province’s governor Miguel Villafuerte, are supporting Poe’s candidacy. The same goes for majority of the province’s local officials, who are allied with them.
But the two Villafuertes have yet to decide whom to support in the vice-presidential race. The two are members of the Nacionalista Party, which may have three members vying for the post.
Camarines Sur has about one million voters.
LRay , who has expressed plans to run for district representative in next year’s polls, said Robredo would come out strong in her bailiwick.
But he does not think she could pull up the numbers of her running mate Mar Roxas in Camarines Sur.
“Not because I’m supporting Senator Grace, but surveys show there’s a preference for her. The machinery and grassroots are organized for Senator Grace,” he told reporters.
“There’s an inclination to support somebody new, with a good image,” he added.
He said a recent survey conducted in Camarines Sur showed that some 41 percent of voters in the province preferred Poe.
“We’re strongly supporting [Poe} and we believe that she will win in Camarines Sur and Bicol,” he said.
Of the province’s 36 mayors, 24 are allied with LRay’s group, along with barangay officials and the councilors’ league.
LRay also pointed out that voters would not always choose the running mate of their preferred presidential candidate or vice versa, as seen in recent elections.
Poe is scheduled to visit Camarines Sur on Tuesday (Oct. 6) to meet with local leaders and to attend the World Teacher’s Day celebration.
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