Gwen is 45th of 70 'senatoriables'

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ranked number 45 in a list of 70 in the November 2011 Pulse Asia Nationwide Survey on who Filipinos want to vote for Senator in the 2013 elections.

Another Cebuano, former Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, ranked number 62.

Officials of Garcia’s One Cebu Party said they were surprised by Garcia’s inclusion in the list considering that she has not given a final word about her plans after her term as governor ends.

Still, Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the governor’s brother and secretary-general of One Cebu, admitted that the survey result is worth considering, especially with Garcia’s 40 percent awareness rating.

“But as an initial survey, I would say that it’s worth looking into,” he said, adding, “But in any event, it’s too early to decide on anything. It’s just a helpful guide at this early stage.”

Cabinet members under Aquino’s administration who also placed behind Garcia are Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino (46), Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacieda (47), Budget Secretary Florencio Abad (51), DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman (53), DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo (63), Presidential Communications Strategy Secretary Ricky Carandang (67) and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (70).

If the May 2013 elections were held in early November 2011, 15 individuals would have a statistical chance of winning a senatorial seat.

Emerging in the top spot is Senator Francis Escudero with a 65.6 percent awareness rating. In second place is Senator Loren Legarda with a 58.9 percent awareness rating.

Completing the top five are Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas, III; Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former Vice President Noli de Castro.

Also in the top 12 are San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito, Senator Gregorio Honasan, Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In the top 20 are Aurora Province Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, former Senator Ana Madrigal, former Senator Richard Gordon, former DENR Secretary Michael Defensor, broadcaster Korina Zanchez, TV host Willie Revillame, former Rep. Gilbert Teodoro and Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The survey fieldwork was conducted from November 10 to 23, 2011 using face-to-face interviews.

Pulse Asia said even with 18 months before the next senatorial elections, public interest in the electoral exercise is already obvious. — (FREEMAN)