Roque unsurprised political clan members topped Pulse Asia's 2019 senatorial poll
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who is reportedly planning to run for senator next year, was not surprised that members of political clans topped a recent Pulse Asia poll on possible senatorial bets.
Roque, who ranked 29th to 36th place in the survey, said experienced politicians have strong chances of being reelected in the Philippines.
"Doesn’t surprise me, I’m an ordinary human being. I don’t belong to any political family, I’m not rich, I’m not surprised. Like everyone else, democracy in the Philippines can be very expensive and depends on who your parents are," Roque said in a press briefing Monday.
"In this country, it’s the children of the senators, those who have been in politics who stand a very good chance of being reelected. So nothing has changed," he added.
Members of well-known families dominated the Pulse Asia poll, which was conducted from September 1 to 7.
Sen. Grace Poe, the daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., topped the survey, followed by Sen. Cynthia Villar, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Nancy Binay. Also in the top 12 are Davao City mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, Sen. Sonny Angara, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, former Sen. Lito Lapid, former Sen. Serge Osmeña and former interior secretary and presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II.
Roque questioned the qualification of some personalities who made it to the top 12, saying they only became popular because of their relationship with their fathers.
"Aside from their relationship with their fathers, what capability have they shown? What laws have they passed? Many of them are reelectionists, many of them come-backing. What laws have they passed? They just launched investigations, they just engaged in grandstanding," the presidential spokesman said.
"Excuse me, kaya po walang nangyayari dito sa ating bayan dahil kulang ng mga bagong polisiya (the nation is not moving forward because we lack policies)," he added.
Asked who among the personalities who performed strongly in the poll are not qualified, Roque said: "It would be up to the people, but I can certainly say with conviction that of the top 10, all of them are children of famous people."
Roque noted that Sara and Marcos are daughters of presidents while Lapid is an actor. He also cited Roxas, the grandson of the late president Manuel Roxas and a rival of Duterte during the 2016 presidential race.
Roque, who claimed he has not yet decided on whether he would run for senator, expressed belief that the poll results should not discourage ordinary Filipinos from seeking electoral posts.
"No one should be daunted because we’re not talking of qualifications here. We’re talking of family names and how long they have been in the highest echelon of power in this country," he added.
"Kaya dapat mag-rebolusyon yung taong bayan. 'Yan po ay sukatan ng kasikatan, hindi po sukatan ng qualification (The people should stage a revolt. It's about popularity, not qualification)."
When reminded that Sara is a lawyer, Roque said the presidential daughter is "very qualified" to become a senator.
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