Mar on track to win May 9 polls—admin coalition

LP standard bearer Mar Roxas III gestures during a press briefing at the LP headquarters in Balay, Cubao, Quezon City on Monday, May 2, 2016.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The camp of Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday expressed confidence that the administration presidential candidate is on track to beat his political opponents on May 9 national elections.

This was after Roxas closed in on frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and went past Senator Grace Poe in second place in the latest Pulse Asia survey five days before the Election Day.

“The Pulse – ABS-CBN survey is only the latest in a series of surveys that show the momentum of Mar. It confirms the trend of D’Strafford, Exponent M, TNS, and SWS results—Mar is on track to win the May 9 elections,” “Daang Matuwid” coalition and Akbayan Rep. Ibarra “Barry” Gutierrez III said in a statement.

With 22 percent, Roxas overtook erstwhile frontrunner Poe, who garnered 21 percent. Meanwhile, Duterte’s rating remained at 33 percent.

READ: Mar gains on Grace, but Duterte retains wide Pulse lead

Gutierrez also called on voters who do not want another dictator to rule the country to switch to and rally behind Roxas.

“We call on all Filipinos who wish to avert a repeat of the dictatorship—rally to Mar, switch to Mar,” he said.

At the same time, Gutierrez stressed that the electorate may have frustrations with President Benigno Aquino III’s administration. However, he said, Roxas and his running mate Camarines Sur Representative Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo will remedy the shortcomings of the current administration should they win in the elections.

“We understand that many of us have concerns, frustrations, and issues with the current administration. Mar and Leni have acknowledged these shortcomings and have committed to remedy them,” he said.

The coalition spokesperson said the machinery of the ruling party will amplify the support of Roxas’ believers to guarantee his win on Election Day.

“This about our future. The voice of the people will be amplified by the might of the machinery, local officials from barangay (village) councilors to provincial governors, united with the grassroots to create an unstoppable popular movement. We have the momentum. We will win on May 9,” Gutierrez said. RAM

READ: Roxas: ‘The momentum is with us’