Roxas performance in first debate helped boost his rating – spokesman

THE rise in the voter preference rating of Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas could be attributed to his performance in the first presidential debate where the public saw that he had the best plan to solve the country’s problems, the administration coalition spokesperson said Monday.

“Daang Matuwid” coalition spokesman and Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez said it became clear in the debate held last February that Roxas, among other candidates, was the most ready to be president.

“Nakita yung performance ni Secretary Mar doon sa debate. Nakita na may malinaw siyang plano, nakita na may alam siyang gawin kapag siya ay nahalal na pangulo,” Gutierrez said in an interview on Monday.

“Very clear na among all the presidential candidates na siya ang may malinaw na plano, siya yung pinakahanda na maging pangulo, at naaapreciate ‘yun, tingin ko, ng karamihan sa ating mga kababayan na sumusubaybay doon sa ganoong klaseng mga venues, debate, mga forum,” he added.

Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo gained the most in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released earlier Monday.

The former Interior Secretary’s rating increased by four points, garnering 22 percent of votes from 1,200 respondents.

Robredo was also the biggest gainer among the vice presidential contenders with 24 percent, closing in on rival Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who got 26 percent of votes and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who maintained his lead at 28 percent.

Gutierrez added that Roxas’ campaigns in various cities and provinces helped a lot in improving the latter’s rating.

By going around the country, the spokesperson said, people are seeing that Roxas is “approachable, kind and very open.” This was contrary to Roxas’ impression to many that he’s an elitist snob.

“Tingin ko tumatatak na ‘yung totoong character ni Secretary Mar. Napapamahal na lalo ang mga kababayan sa kanya,” he said.

He added that this reflected the dramatic rise of the ratings of the administration bets in the surveys. AC

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