Señeres optimistic on Senate win

MANILA, Philippines - Contrary to results of pre-election surveys, Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP) senatorial candidate Christian Señeres believes he has a chance to land in the magic 12.

The reception that the former representative of Buhay party-list receives during campaign sorties boosts his confidence because people express their support for the DPP team and their advocacies.

“We see the people’s reaction. The campaign is in the grassroots and not in the surveys alone,” the 37-year-old Señeres said.

Besides, he noted, surveys are not always 100 percent accurate, and anything can still happen.

Moreover, “most people make up their minds in the last five days” of the campaign.

“What I like about Philippine politics is this: Unpredictability... Our President (Aquino), who would have thought he would become president?” Señeres added.

He also said that many of those he met during the campaign said they have difficulty filling up all 12 senatorial slots.

They clamor for change and want to see new, but dependable, faces in the Senate.

He noted that according to a survey, voters are looking for senatorial candidates who sympathize with them, are approachable, hardworking and, most importantly, have a background in the House of Representatives since the functions of congressmen and senators are legislative in nature.

Señeres has a background in lawmaking. When he was a congressman from 2003 to 2007, he authored 41 bills. 

The DPP has also utilized the Internet, particularly Facebook and YouTube, to widen the scope of their campaign.

They are also banking on the youth who will vote for the first time and have access to the Internet, as they comprised two-thirds of the electorate.

Thanks to the Internet, people can easily find out the stands of candidates on controversial issues such as the Cybercrime bill and the Freedom of Information bill. Señeres believes that senatorial debates are a great equalizer, providing an opportunity for candidates to present their platforms and credentials to the public.

Among Señeres’ advocacies are the eradication of political dynasties and pushing for equal opportunity and equal wealth.

He is a recipient of the Pedro Calungsod Pro-Vita Medal and the President’s Award for Academic Excellence during the term of former American President Bill Clinton.

He took up Bachelor of Science in Financial Management at the Southeastern University in Florida, graduating magna cum laude. He also has a Juris Doctor major in US Constitutional Law from the Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago.

Señeres is the president of the Nationalist Leadership Council, Inc. and a member of the International Institute of Certified Financial Planners. He is the son of former ambassador Roy Señeres, now a nominee of the OFW Family party-list.