DQ cases affect Poe survey standing, Escudero admits

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted on Monday that the pending disqualification cases against Senator Grace Poe have affected her standing in pre-election surveys as shown by the latest poll conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Poe was overtaken by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the latest presidential survey conducted by the SWS from November 26 to 28 among 1,200 respondents. The survey was commissioned by a Davao-based businessman.

READ: Duterte tops SWS poll

“Meron palagi epekto ‘yon habang naka-binbin ang kaso,” Escudero, running mate of Poe in the 2016 presidential race, said in a text message when asked if the cases filed against the lady senator had affected the results of the survey.

(As long as there is a pending case, that will have an effect [on Poe’s standing in pre-election surveys].)

Despite this, Escudero said he and Poe welcomed the results of the latest survey.

“Lahat ng survey, mababa man o mataas kami ni Sen Grace, ay pinag-aaralan at tinatanggap namin,” he said.

(Any survey, whether Senator Grace and I do well or otherwise, we study and accept.)

“Tinitingnan namin ito bilang gabay at hudyat ng mga kailangan pa naming gawin para maparating at mapaunawa ang aming mithiin at layunin para sa bansa at sa ating mga kababayan,” Escudero added.

(We see these as guides and cues on what we still need to do to deliver and convey our goals and aspirations for the country and for our countrymen.)

Duterte topped the survey with 38 percent followed by Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay with 21 percent, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II with 15 percent and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 4 percent.

READ: Duterte-topping survey ‘rigged’ — Trillanes

Escudero, on other hand, maintained his lead over other rivals with 30 percent, followed by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with 24 percent, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano with 21 percent, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo with 12 percent, Sen. Gringo Honasan with 6 percent and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with only 5 percent. CDG