CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga- Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s supposed presidential campaign manager Angelito Banayo has estimated that about 50 percent of votes that would have gone to Escudero has already gravitated towards Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“The other 50 percent was divided between Villar and Erap,” said Banayo who was resource person in a three-day seminar that concluded here yesterday for journalists sponsored by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). He was referring to presidential aspirants Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party and former Pres. Joseph Estrada of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.
He cited a survey done before Escudero backed out from the presidential race, indicating Aquino being favored by 47 percent of respondents, Escudero by 18 percent, Villar by 17 percent, and Estrada by 11 percent.
Banayo, a noted political analyst and campaign strategist, said that current political sentiments of Filipino voters upholding integrity as a top qualification of a candidate could work for a sure victory for Aquino in next year’s May elections.
“It will be sheer stupidity for the handlers of Noynoy if he loses in the elections ,” he said, provided there is no shift in the voters’ preference for integrity as top requirement for their presidential candidate.
Banayo said, however, that any possible change in the priorities of voters could happen between Christmas and the May elections next year. “What can happen can bedevil a campaign strategist,” he added.
“Noynoy is not tainted by any scandal, so it was natural for him to inherit the mantle of integrity which happens to be number one in the scale of issues in demand among the people. But in the remaining months, there is the question of whether developments will change this perception,” he said.
Banayo noted that the country’s exports are plunging and “there is no end in sight for the sad state of the Philippine economy. Some companies can’t give 13th month bonuses and some have even slashed if not scrapped Christmas parties.”
“Will integrity also be perceived as a means to employment, livelihood and getting them out of poverty?” he asked.
Banayo said that Villar has been zeroing in on such angle in his media advertisements. Such a ploy had worked well for Villar who topped surveys before Aquino joined the presidential derby, he noted.
This, as he lamented the strategy of administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro who, he noted, has allegedly persisted in declaring “continuity” under his presidency. He said that already, Pres. Arroyo has become “an albatross around his neck.”
Banayo said that despite the perceived competence of Teodoro, “no one won on the basis of competence” as “people don’t vote with their minds but with their hearts.”
He also downplayed Estrada’s campaign strategy of “reviving the concept of his heart bleeding for the poor.” “That message has already been poached by Villar,” he added.
“The other 50 percent was divided between Villar and Erap,” said Banayo who was resource person in a three-day seminar that concluded here yesterday for journalists sponsored by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). He was referring to presidential aspirants Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party and former Pres. Joseph Estrada of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.
He cited a survey done before Escudero backed out from the presidential race, indicating Aquino being favored by 47 percent of respondents, Escudero by 18 percent, Villar by 17 percent, and Estrada by 11 percent.
Banayo, a noted political analyst and campaign strategist, said that current political sentiments of Filipino voters upholding integrity as a top qualification of a candidate could work for a sure victory for Aquino in next year’s May elections.
“It will be sheer stupidity for the handlers of Noynoy if he loses in the elections ,” he said, provided there is no shift in the voters’ preference for integrity as top requirement for their presidential candidate.
Banayo said, however, that any possible change in the priorities of voters could happen between Christmas and the May elections next year. “What can happen can bedevil a campaign strategist,” he added.
“Noynoy is not tainted by any scandal, so it was natural for him to inherit the mantle of integrity which happens to be number one in the scale of issues in demand among the people. But in the remaining months, there is the question of whether developments will change this perception,” he said.
Banayo noted that the country’s exports are plunging and “there is no end in sight for the sad state of the Philippine economy. Some companies can’t give 13th month bonuses and some have even slashed if not scrapped Christmas parties.”
“Will integrity also be perceived as a means to employment, livelihood and getting them out of poverty?” he asked.
Banayo said that Villar has been zeroing in on such angle in his media advertisements. Such a ploy had worked well for Villar who topped surveys before Aquino joined the presidential derby, he noted.
This, as he lamented the strategy of administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro who, he noted, has allegedly persisted in declaring “continuity” under his presidency. He said that already, Pres. Arroyo has become “an albatross around his neck.”
Banayo said that despite the perceived competence of Teodoro, “no one won on the basis of competence” as “people don’t vote with their minds but with their hearts.”
He also downplayed Estrada’s campaign strategy of “reviving the concept of his heart bleeding for the poor.” “That message has already been poached by Villar,” he added.
