2008-07-05 22:13:27 -
Vice President Noli de Castro remains on top of the list of political leaders who have declared their intention to run for President in the May 2010 presidential elections.
Manila www.balitapinoy.net
In the latest poll survey that will be released on Tuesday (July 8, 2008), the Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER)said that if the elections were to be held today, Vice President De Castro will emerge as the preferred choice of 18% of some 1,200 respondents who were interviewed nationwide.
Ed M. Malay, director of The CENTER
said that the poll survey was conducted from June 16 to 20 while the country was reeling from the uncontrollable rise in the prices of crude oil in the world market, the spiraling prices of rice and other prime commodities in the local market, the kidnapping of media personality Ces Drilon and her television crew and the recent calamity spawned by Typhoon Frank.
He said that De Castro was the preferred choice of 18% of the respondents besting 13 others in the list of known political leaders who are known to be eyeing the presidency in 2010.
The others in the list are Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, former President Erap Estrada, Sen. Loren Legarda, Senate President Manny Villar, Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Ping Lacson, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Sen. Richard Gordon, former Rep. Butch Pichay, Interior and Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno,and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Malay said De Castro who still has to announce his political plans for 2010 is keeping everyone in suspense as the Vice President has yet to make a decision as to whether he will seek the presidency as an independent or will seek affiliation with a political party.
Local political pundits claim that De Castro is being wooed by the Arroyo Administration to lead the merged Lakas-KAMPI-CMD party in 2010.
The results of the survey, said Malay, will also serve as an eye-opener for those who are seeking the presidency especially with regards to their party affiliation and value of endorsements that these candidates are seeking. (Balita Pinoy - Philippine News & Analysis)
