Mar tops Social Weather senatorial survey
Jess Diaz
Philippine Star
If senatorial elections were held today, incumbent Manuel Roxas II would most likely lead the winners’ pack.
This is according to the results of the latest Social Weather Stations survey of potential senatorial winners.
Roxas is eligible for re-election in 2010. However, he is not seeking a second Senate term as he has trained his sights on the presidency. He will be the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, of which he is president.
In second place in the possible winners’ list is Sen. Pia Cayetano, followed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
In fourth slot is former senator Ralph Recto. Trailing him are Senators Jamby Madrigal and Ramon Revilla Jr.
Defeated senatorial candidate Aquilino Pimentel III is in seventh place, followed by former Senate president Franklin Drilon.
Pro-administration Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile are in ninth and 10th places.
It’s not clear if the two will seek re-election. Santiago is aspiring to be a member of the International Court of Justice, while Enrile earlier announced plans to retire from politics in 2010.
The martial law-era defense minister won a new Senate term in 2004 on a campaign promise to bring down the cost of electricity.
However, power rates have remained high.
Former senator Vicente Sotto III occupies the 11th slot, while Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III landed in the bottom of the winners’ circle.
Within striking distance of the Magic 12 are Sen. Richard Gordon, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Surigao del Sur representative Prospero Pichay Jr., Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, and Mike Defensor, former chief of staff of President Arroyo.
Recto, Sotto, Pichay, and Defensor were members of the administration Team Unity senatorial ticket in the May 2007 elections. They and five other administration candidates lost to their opposition rivals.
Only three Team Unity bets made it: Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Among the poor performers in the senatorial survey are five Cabinet members: Lito Atienza of environment and natural resources, Angelo Reyes of energy, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of defense, Arthur Yap of agriculture, and Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Yap was dead last.
The names of 30 potential senatorial candidates were included in the survey.
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