Daang matuwid no longer inspiring people – Poe

GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ, Cavite, Philippines – The administration only has itself to blame for the electorate’s apparent preference for an alternative candidate as it failed to fulfill its promise to address the basic needs of the people, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

On the sidelines of her campaign sortie here, Poe told reporters the daang matuwid mantra of the Aquino administration no longer inspires the people as it did at the start of his term in 2010.

The administration’s standard-bearer in the May 9 elections is former interior chief Manuel Roxas II.

“The people are so tired.  They are disillusioned because the ‘daang matuwid’ is repeatedly rammed down their throats and yet they get poor service from government and its agencies,” she said in Filipino when asked about the rising survey ratings of her closest rival, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“I’ve been pointing this out. We’re seeing the people’s needs not getting priority. That’s why they can’t help asking, ‘why are you telling us you’re the best choice when you have already forgotten us?’”

Some observers see the rise of Duterte as a manifestation of the people’s anger and frustration with the administration.

Roxas’ campaign is focused on continuing the daang matuwid advocacy of the Aquino administration.

Poe was in Cavite yesterday for a motorcade that lasted over six hours, spanning the cities of Dasmariñas, Silang, Carmona and General Mariano Alvarez.

Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla,  son of detained Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., joined her in the motorcade.

Also in the motorcade were some of the senatorial candidates in her tandem with Sen. Francis Escudero: veteran actor Edu Manzano, lawyer Lorna Kapunan and Rep. Neri Colmenares.

Meanwhile, Escudero said he and Poe are still banking on the support of their local machinery and a battery of lawyers to ensure their votes are protected.

Escudero said they have not lost hope despite the rise in popularity ratings of Duterte and vice-presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We have our legal team and we have identified poll watchers to guard our votes and ensure the integrity of our elections,” Escudero said.

He noted election surveys in the past elections did not always reflect the winning votes on election day itself.  He cited the case of Sen. Manny Villar, who was No. 2 in surveys in 2010, but emerged third in May 2010.

He also said Roxas was topping surveys for vice president in 2010 only to be edged out by Jejomar Binay, who is now running for president. – Christina Mendez