Character, not survey rankings

LENI’S VP RUN OFFICIAL Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo (fourth from right) formally accepts the offer of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas to be his running mate in the 2016 presidential election. President Aquino (center) raises the hands of the LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas (third from left) and Robredo at the event held on Monday at Club Filipino in San Juan City. On the left are Roxas’ mother Judy Araneta-Roxas and wife Korina Sanchez. Robredo’s daughters Tricia, Jillian and Aika are shown on the right. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The poor showing of Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo in the electoral surveys became one of the concerns of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in choosing his running mate.

But Robredo’s sincerity in pursuing and desire to continue the programs of the Aquino administration made Roxas forget about the numbers.

“Of course lahat ‘yan kabahagi ng concerns natin pero para sa amin ‘yung sinceridad, katapatan at karanasan ay mas mahalaga sa kung anong bilang o numero,” Roxas told reporters on Tuesday.

(Of course, those are all among our concerns, but for us, sincerity, honesty and experience are more important than any ranking or number.)

READ: Robredo’s sincerity will outshine rivals – Abaya | 3 VP aspirants trace roots to Sorsogon

According to the recent Pulse Asia survey, Robredo only ranks sixth in the vice presidential preference survey at 3 percent. Ranking first is Senator Grace Poe, who will join the presidential race in 2016, leading as well in the presidential survey.

Next to Poe is her running mate Senator Francis Escudero, followed by other vice presidential candidates Senators Bongbong Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano.

But Roxas expressed optimism that Robredo’s performance in the surveys would eventually improve.

“Even I started at 4 (percent). Leni started at 3 (percent). We feel and we strongly believe that we are in the right place. We trust that until the end of the race, the voters will choose who is worthy to lead this country,” he said.

Not for political convenience

Contrary to the belief of some political analysts who are saying that Robredo will not win the vice presidential race with her being a widow, having no political base and enemies in local politics, Roxas said those were never considered when he tapped Robredo.

“Those were never my considerations. As I’ve said before, a standard-bearer’s VP choice reflects his ability to make a good choice,” he said.

“Did I choose my VP for practicality or for political convenience only? We chose who’s deserving, who has a good track record and experience and, of course, who believes in the Daang Matuwid to the bones.”

READ: Leni OKs team-up with Mar | Poe keeps lead, Roxas rises in latest Pulse Asia survey

Before Robredo, Roxas courted Poe to run with him in 2016 in an attempt to bolster his ratings and to keep the administration coalition intact. Poe turned down Roxas’ offer and declared that she will gun for presidency.  Julliane Love de Jesus, INQUIRER.net/CDG