Casiño hits back at Aquino over survey remark

"IF I had Ninoy and Cory as parents, I'd probably be in your shoes, too."
 
This was the reaction of Makabayan Coalition's senatorial candidate, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casiño, who President Benigno Aquino III allegedly alluded to as faring poorly in pre-election surveys in connection with the 2013 midterm polls.

ABS-CBN News reported that Aquino said the senatorial bet backed by leftist groups "currently has 2.6 percent of the population voting for him which is very, very little."
 
Aquino was also quoted as saying that leftist groups are "very good at propaganda."
 
Although he did not mention names, the leftist Makabayan Coalition is fielding Casiño as its lone candidate for senator.
 
In the August 31 to September 7 Pulse Asia survey, Casiño placed in the bottom two with Ang Ladlad's Danton Remoto.
 
In a text message to reporters, Casiño said: "Let me remind the President that before his mother died, he did not even rate in any survey nor was considered by anyone to be of presidential calibre. In fact, he only became senator because of his lineage and the heroic efforts of his mother and (father)."
 
Casiño was referring to the martyred Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino and his wife, former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who is known as a democracy icon.
 
"So before he derides me or any candidate for that matter for rating low in the surveys, he should look at himself first," the lawmaker said.

Casiño is already on his last term as representative of the Bayan Muna party-list. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)