Local election campaign expected to boost Arroyo survey lead

The start on March 25 of the campaign for local government positions will give President Arroyo a commanding five percent lead over her closest rival Fernando Poe Jr. in the next survey ratings, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said yesterday.

"Because of the overwhelming advantage of the administration coalition we project a five-percent jump in President Arroyo’s ratings when the local campaign begins," he said.

De Venecia, who is running unopposed in the fourth congressional district of Pangasinan, is the chairman of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, which has coalesced with the Liberal and Nacionalista parties and 70 percent of the Nationalist People’s Coalition of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco.

"None of the President’s rivals has anywhere near the strength of the administration coalition. President Arroyo’s decisive edge is a nationwide political machine enabling the coalition to field strong candidates," said De Venecia.

The head of the 226-member House of Representatives said Poe’s camp is represented by local candidates in only 40 to 50 percent of the "provinces, cities and municipalities."

"Former education secretary Raul Roco has no ticket or candidates in 70 to 80 percent and Sen. Panfilo Lacson has none in more than 80 percent of all local areas," he said.

De Venecia downplayed Vice President Teofisto Guingona’s defection to Poe’s camp, as he belied speculations that there will be an exodus of Lakas leaders following Guingona’s jump to the opposition.

"In Mindanao, no governor, no congressman, no mayor joined Guingona," he said.