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Monday, March 01, 2004
FPJ man admits Negros, Panay GMA country
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
* In Western Visayas alone, GMA is leading 41 percent over FPJ's 25 percent, or a lead of 16 percent
DESPITE the recent survey result by the Social Weather Station (SWS) showing that presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) now leading against President Arroyo, an opposition leader confirmed that the Visayas area is "GMA's country."
"This is why all the contingency measures of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and KNP will be focused here in Negros, Panay and other parts of the Visayas," said Horacio "Boy" Morales, former Agrarian Reform secretary and now PMP president who was here in Bacolod last Saturday.
Morales said it is already a known fact that President Arroyo is very strong in Panay and Negros.
"Aside from that, our group is already affirming Visayas as GMA's strongest bailiwick," he added.
The SWS survey from January 28 to February 6 revealed that FPJ got a 37.5 percent rating against the 28.7 percent of Arroyo.
But the Pulse Asia survey showed it is Arroyo leading with 31.9 percent against FPJ's 31.7.
Although, Morales admitted that the Pulse Asia results showing a decline on FPJ's ratings was simply attributed to the recent much-talked disqualification case before the Supreme Court (SC) due to his alleged questionable citizenship.
"Yes, I admit (with) what Felipe Miranda, Pulse Asia director, said that the disqualification case has hurt FPJ's candidacy," said Morales.
This is because voters had second thoughts about FPJ qualifications. Campaign donors are even hesitant about donating funds to the opposition, Morales added.
But the SWS survey since August 2003 shows FPJ's popularity has gradually increased from 12 percent in August 2003, then went up to 14 percent in September, 26 percent in November, 36 percent in the January 12-22, 2004 survey and 37 percent in the latest one.
Morales, however, said that if the Supreme Court decides later in favor of FPJ, "we will be freed of this heavy cross in our back."
He added also that once the voters are informed that FPJ is indeed a natural born Filipino citizen and qualified to run for the presidency, his lead over Pres. Arroyo and other candidates will widen.
But he admitted that they are not complacent.
"We must not be over confident," stressed Morales.
He said, "our opponent has the government resources, the Jose Pidal accounts and the machinery to deny our victory in the coming elections."
Morales said the latest SWS survey showed FPJ is ahead in vote-rich Luzon with 38 percent over President Arroyo's 21 percent, or a lead of 17 percent.
However, he said in the Visayas region, President Arroyo is ahead of FPJ by 48 percent against 26 percent or a lead of 22 percent.
In Western Visayas alone, he said GMA is leading 41 percent over FPJ's 25 percent, or a lead of 16 percent.
In Central Visayas GMA is ahead: 68 percent over FPJ's 13 percent.
It is only in Eastern Visayas where FPJ is leading GMA: 42 percent versus 38 percent.
In Mindanao, Morales said FPJ is ahead 47 percent over GMA's 29 percent, an 18 percent lead.
He said it is here in Visayas where they must strengthen their political organization and improve their campaign.
Morales also admitted that most political organizations in the Visayas are identified with the administration.
Morales, however, is confident that when FPJ begins campaigning in the Visayas region, his ratings will surely improve.
"What we really want in the Visayas is that, if we cannot reverse the survey result, at least we can even the actual result or reduce GMA's lead," he stressed.
Morales also disclosed that FPJ and his group may visit Bacolod and Negros for campaign sorties by the third week of this month.
Replacement
On Susan Roces as replacement for FPJ, Morales said, "we haven't talked (about) that yet, since our group believes that the SC will rule in favor of FPJ."
He, however, acknowledged that Roces, being an Ilongga by birth is considered as one of the best weapons for FPJ's victory including that of the solid bonding of the members of PMP-Negros Occidental chapter and the people of the Visayas region too.
On sugar smuggling, Morales said in case FPJ will win, they already have contingency measures on how to avert the so-called "killing act" against the sugar industry of the country.
(March 1, 2004 issue)
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