Survey says: It’s 9-4 for PPC

It may not be 13-0.

The People Power Coalition (PPC) will likely win nine of the 13 Senate seats up for grabs in the May 14 elections, a survey by Dela Salle University’s social scientists revealed.

The survey, done from March 18 to 22, polled 2,000 respondents all over the country. It showed broadcaster Noli de Castro, an independent candidate, topping the race with 80.98 percent of the votes, followed by re-electionist senators Juan Flavier (79.67%) and Franklin Drilon (73.75%) and former Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo (67.57%), all PPC candidates.

Ramon Magsaysay Jr., another re-electionist running under PPC, ranked fifth in the survey with 66.73 percent. He was followed by his fellow PPC bets Francis Pangilingan (64.92%), former Speaker Manuel Villar (62.97%), Sen. Segio Osmeña III (62.65%), and former Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto (58.27%).

Former Bohol Rep. Ernesto Herrera got 44.39% of the respondents’ votes to place 13th .

Those from the opposition Puwersa ng Masa who made it to the top 13 in the survey were former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara (10th place, 54.89%), former Press Secretary Ricardo Puno (11th, 49.56%), and former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado (12th, 49.06).

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections Chairman Alfredo Benipayo assured the public yesterday that the Comelec is ready for the May 14 national and local polls, quashing fears of a possible "failure of elections" due to reported disputes among commissioners.

"Whatever disagreements there are between commissioners, they will not interfere with the coming elections. The Comelec’s credibility and integrity are at stake here," Benipayo said at a press conference at the Comelec offices in Intramuros, Manila.

He also denied allegations that there had been irregularities in the number of printed ballots.

Benipayo said the poll body ordered the printing of some 36 million ballots but ordered an additional three million to cover spoilage or errors in printing.

The excess will be kept in stock and well secured, he said. They will be destroyed immediately after the electoral exercise.

Benipayo said the National Printing Office, which handles printing of the ballots, has ensured that all materials would be ready before May 4, the deadline set by the Comelec.

"They might be printed and distributed even earlier," he said. "All preparations are being done by the department heads. Everything is proceeding as scheduled."