Team PNoy: UNA a 'cry baby'

MANILA (Updated) -- Team PNoy on Wednesday branded the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) a "cry baby" for questioning the results of a survey by the Social Weather Station showing administration bets way ahead of its candidates.

"It's totally absurd and childish," Evardone said in a press statement.

The results of the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey show that Team PNoy candidates have a 9-3 advantage over the UNA coalition.

Aurora Representative Sonny Angara and presidential cousin Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV who are both running under the Team PNoy coalition entered the "Magic 12" at the expense of UNA candidates Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile and Senator Gringo Honasan.

Vice President Jejomar Binay refused to believe the survey results, which showed his daughter, Nancy Binay, landing in the 7th spot.

Aside from Binay, San Juan City Representative JV Ejercito and resigned senator Miguel Zubiri also figured in the top 12.

"When UNA was doing well in recent opinion surveys, it celebrated and was quick to praise the survey firms to high heavens. Now that Team PNoy candidates are dominating, it is questioning the same surveys, protesting and making lies and unfounded accusations," Evardone said.

Evardone said that voters "are favoring Team PNoy candidates because UNA lacks credibility and coherence."

"Team PNoy has a clear message to the Filipino people: We are a partner of President Aquino in his reform agenda," he added.

UNA campaign spokesperson Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco said they are expecting Team PNoy to escalate attacks against its so-called "three kings" to further bring their candidates down in the surveys.

Tiangco was referring to Vice President Binay, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Nancy Binay, meanwhile, said Wednesday that her consistent showing in the surveys would mean more attacks on her father.

"I hope they will just allow us to talk to the people about issues. Please don't hit my father just to bring me down in the surveys," she said.

The Vice President has the highest trust and approval rating among top government officials, she said, but the attacks against her father escalated after her inclusion in the UNA senatorial ticket.

She added that other UNA leaders like Estrada and Enrile are being attacked in an attempt to bring down the ratings of UNA candidates.

While Nancy ranked seventh in the latest SWS survey, Enrile's son Jack dropped to 13th spot from 8-9 rank in the previous survey in January.

Estrada attributed this to the criticism on Enrile's alleged unfair distribution of Senate funds late last year.

"For me personally, the surveys serve as a guide for planning. The true test of support for a candidate is the turnout and the reception given to us during our sorties to the provinces. And so far, UNA has garnered large crowds wherever we go," Binay said.

The SWS survey was conducted right after the February 12 proclamation rallies of Team PNoy and UNA. (Kathrina Alvarez/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)