• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the help of League of Governors to push for the candidacies of Alyansa senatorial aspirants – former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, and reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino.
Abalos, who attended the Miting de Avance of 4th district congressional candidate, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, on Tuesday in Bago City, urged Negrense voters who do not know him well, to look into his track record.
Clinging to the top 12 senatorial aspirants, based on survey results, Abalos said he is optimistic of his continued inclusion in the magic 12, citing numerous endorsements, including from former Vice President Leni Robredo.
“People are now taking a serious look at my resume, [of] what I have done,” said Abalos, who was endorsed by Governor Lacson, Vice Governor Ferrer, and other local chief executives of the 4th district.
Ten out of eleven candidates from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition are statistically in the winning circle with less than a week before the May 12 midterm elections, according to the latest pre-election survey released by OCTA Research on Wednesday.
While Pacquiao and Abalos made it into the statistical winning circle, with rankings of 10th to 20th, Tolentino ranked 13th to 22nd, according to the survey.
OCTA noted that the fluid dynamics of the race could significantly affect the final outcome, particularly noting that the 9th to 12th positions remain too close to call.
During a meeting with President Marcos Jr. on May 5, Lacson said PBBM left the fate of his elder sister, reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos, to the governors, leaving it up to them whether to support her bid, or not.
Aside from Abalos, Tolentino, and Pacquiao, Lacson said he is also endorsing independent senatorial aspirants Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.
Based on the OCTA Research pre-election survey results, Aquino is ranked 9th to 18th, while Pangilinan is within 11th to 21st positions.
The firm said shifts in the final results could be driven by voter turnout, changes in voter preference, intensified campaign efforts, and the influence of political alliances and block endorsements.
“As the May 12 midterm elections approach, the senatorial race remains exceptionally tight and highly competitive,” OCTA Research said.* with PNA reports
