Poe’s rating down

The latest Pulse Asia survey this September reported a decrease of Senator Grace Poe’s rating from 30 percent in June to 27 percent this month.

The Pulse Asia result confirms the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) rating of 26 percent for Senator Poe.

Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay is steady in second place with 21 percent while former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas improved his third place ranking to 18 percent.

Poe’s decline may be attributed to the ongoing debate about her citizenship and residency and the disapproval by netizens of her statements on the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) four-day rally saying that members of the religious sect have the right to defend their faith. From critics’ perspective, the senator has decided that votes were more important than the general welfare of the community.

Earlier, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that Senator Poe is not a natural-born Filipino citizen but a naturalized one, prejudging the citizenship case of the 2016 presidential aspirant before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET). Due to the SET chair’s alleged political ties with other members of the tribunal and 2016 presidential aspirants, the supporters of Poe want Carpio to inhibit from the case.

Some critics said that her independent status will become a hurdle in the 2016 elections, saying Poe has to assume a position of influence in an existing party to make a difference in the nation’s political life. Without government machinery, she will be forced to rely mainly on her popularity. Lacking of administrative experience or legislative performance, Poe should offer something more solid other than her popularity ratings.

Senate President Franklin Drilon urged the rivals of their standard bearer Roxas to present an alternative platform that is “distinct and better” than “daang matuwid.”

SWS: Poe, Binay tied for first

In a surprise release, the latest SWS-BusinessWorld survey reported that Senator Grace Poe, Vice President Jojo Binay, and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas are in a “statistical tie” based on the sampling margin of error of +/-3 percentage points – with Poe getting 26 percent of the vote, Binay got 24 percent and Roxas six percent behind at 20 percent.

This new SWS survey reverses the earlier SWS quarterly survey finding that Mar Roxas has overtaken the Vice President at 39 percent to his 35 percent pursuant to a pick-three system.

The result, like the RMN survey, clearly gives Binay a 24-percent vote preference. Note that former President Fidel Ramos won with only 23 percent of the vote.

Roxas assailed Binay for claiming that the former’s upward trajectory in the preferential surveys was due to the use of government resources, saying he was already resigned as Interior and Local Government secretary and the Vice President is still in the government. Despite the criticism, Roxas was thankful in his improving survey results but he does not want to focus much on the ratings as it changes every time.

For Vice President Binay, the latest survey results inspire him to work harder and not be overconfident.

Meanwhile, Poe received a big jab to the chin when her cousin Sheryl Cruz announced that Grace was not yet ready for the presidency but should wait for 2022. Cruz denied being used by Poe’s political rivals. Poe did some damage control by issuing this conciliatory statement: “I thank Sheryl for her opinion and concern for us. As family, we will continue to give her the love and respect she deserves.”

Crime situation worsening

The kidnapping of three foreigners and one Filipina at the Samal Island Seaview Resort once again demonstrate the worsening crime situation in the country.

Once again, the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands issued travel advisories against travel to the Philippines, which will have a serious impact on Philippine tourism.

DZMM host David Oro and his wife and son were victims of an attempted robbery in front of their house in Quezon City.

Henry dela Cruz, 46, a school district supervisor, was shot dead in Pangasinan.

Earlier, former Mayor Leocadio de Vera was wounded in an ambush in Bayambang, Pangasinan.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Inspector Leo Jaucian was shot dead in Navotas.

SPO1 Rodrigo Antonio was shot dead in Caloocan.

Barangay tanod Naser Asduri was shot dead in Aparri, Cagayan.

Also happening is another bus bombing in Zamboanga City that killed a high school student and wounded 32 people, including a one-year-old child.

Dennis Relato, provincial coordinator of Ang Ladlad party-list in Albay, was stabbed to death by his alleged lover in Oas, Albay.

It is surprising that President Benigno Aquino and the Philippine National Police (PNP) still insist on the reduction of the crime rate.

The government is losing its fight against criminality.

Tidbits

The Aquila Legis Fraternity of the Ateneo College of Law is holding a Grand National Assembly today at 5 p.m. at the Manila Polo Club.

There have been 79,000 dengue cases in 2015, so far. Cavite has the highest number with 3,900 reported.

In his Washington visit, Pope Francis opted to use a small FIAT 500L instead of the usual limousine used by dignitaries.

700 pilgrims died in a stampede at the HAJJ site in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Mark Enverga (NPC) is running for governor of Quezon.

Vice President Joseph Biden, Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell Jr. and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are Catholics.