Escudero vows to work harder as Marcos ties him in SWS poll

Senator Franchis “Chiz” Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Francis Escudero on Monday vowed to “work harder” and reach out to more people after Senator Ferdinand Marcos tied him for first place in the latest Social Weather Station’s (SWS) survey for the vice presidential race.

“It means we have to work harder and, given our limited resources, find innovative yet not-so-expensive ways to reach our more people with our message of hope and progress,” Escudero, an independent candidate, said in a text message to reporters.

The senator was the consistent frontrunner in various surveys until the latest SWS survey conducted from February 5 to 7, showing him and Marcos sharing the top spot with 26 percent votes of the 1,200 respondents.

Escudero’s rating dipped two percent from last month’s 28 percent while Marcos gained one point.

In third place is administration’s bet, Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo with 19 percent, followed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano with 16 percent, Senator Gringo Honasan with 6 percent and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 5 percent.

READ: Marcos, Escudero share tops spot for VP in SWS poll

Escudero is running mate of presidential aspirant, Senator Grace Poe, who shared the second spot in the same survey with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 24 percent. Vice President Jejomar Binay remained the voters’ top choice for president with 29 percent.

But like in the past, Poe’s camp was unfazed by her standing in the latest survey.

“Like all other survey results, we will use the data provided as guide for our next moves,” Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said in a statement.

“Our resolve is to continue to focus on our message of inclusive governance: Gobyernong may Puso. We will also continue to detail to our voters that Sen. Poe is still a candidate in the running in the upcoming elections,” Gatchalian added.