PPCRV: Vote based on qualifications, not survey rankings

MANILA, Philippines - Voters have been advised to put more weight on the qualifications of candidates in next year’s elections, and not on their places in surveys.

Henrietta de Villa, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chair, said the manner of questioning in the surveys was selective.

“What I don’t like about things like this (surveys) is that it might create trending because some people (base their choices) on name recall,” she said.

“That is not according to our voters’ education. They should not influence the people through name recall, surveys nor those trending methods because what we teach is voters’ education, for every voter to form their own opinion and that opinion would come from information.”

De Villa said voters should make it a point to know if the candidates’ qualifications match the post they are vying for, their character, and if their record is tainted with corruption.

“This is why I do not agree that these survey results, that says on who would win, should be given importance,” she said.

“As much as possible, we do not give it much value. If there are surveys, they can read it but do not let it influence you in checking on your candidate. You should know the candidate that you would be voting for.”

On Thursday, Pulse Asia released the results of a survey conducted from Feb. 26 to March 9 on potential winners in the Senate race.

Children of political heavyweights came out as the likely winners: Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr., Representatives Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay of Makati and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito of San Juan, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, and presidential sister and talk show host Kris Aquino