Otso Diretso candidates vow to work ‘doubly hard’

MANILA, Philippines — Six senatorial candidates of the opposition alliance Otso Diretso hope to win despite failing to enter the winner’s circle in the latest Pulse Asia survey, saying Filipinos are becoming more aware of their platforms.

The opposition bets vowed to work “doubly hard” and tap the youth vote to make it to the Magic 12 on election day.

Former interior and local government secretary Mar Roxas was the only candidate from the Otso Diretso who entered the winning circle based on the Pulse Asia poll, taken from Feb. 24 to 28.

“I thank our fellow Filipinos for their continued support,” Roxas said in an interview in Pampanga.

He also urged his fellow Otso Diretso bets to continue presenting their platforms to the people.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno likewise thanked his supporters and volunteers for the rise in his ranking in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

He said his improvement in the rankings only shows that Filipinos want justice.

Diokno ranked 22nd to 27th in the polling firm’s February survey, up from 44th to 62nd in September last year.

The latest poll also showed Diokno’s voter awareness jumping to 39 percent from January’s 23 percent.

The human rights lawyer noted that his rise in the surveys was remarkable, given that he is not a well-known figure and that he has no large campaign war chest, machinery or political dynasty to rely on.

Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay stressed the importance of tapping the youth vote, which comprises a huge bulk of the voters.

“We need to energize the sector. The youth vote will bring in the votes for Otso Diretso,” Hilbay said at a forum at De La Salle University in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said with meager reasources, they need to work double time to reach more people though door-to-door campaign.

Civic leader Samira Gutoc said she is happy with her increasing awareness and credited it to her women volunteers.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said he believes the people do not completely rely on surveys for their decision on election day.

Sen. Bam Aquino ranked 13th to 17th with 30.4 percent voter preference in the latest Pulse Asia poll on senatorial preference.

Former senator Bobby Tañada, who represented his son Erin at yesterday’s campaign sortie in Cavite, said he and the Otso Diretso candidates are very optimistic of victory in the polls.

‘I am more important than you’

Senatorial candidate Larry Gadon blew his top during a senatorial debate in Cebu, where he quarreled with a university student over his claim there was no corruption during the Marcos regime.

“I strongly demand that this guy be excluded from this forum. Any word from him, I will really walk out. Don’t waste my time. I am more important than you,” Gadon told the student during the Mega Cebu Candidates forum at the University of San Carlos on Monday.

The hosts took up the cudgels for Gadon but said the student must only be given a warning. But Gadon stood his ground and demanded that the student be escorted outside.

“I can debate with you anytime, but not in this forum. There are rules. Don’t debate with me here. You’re just ignorant,” Gadon told the student.

Gadon, a Marcos loyalist, gave out figures without providing context that foreign borrowing also funded several of Marcos’ projects.

Before he was warned by the organizers not to engage Gadon in a debate, the student was heard saying: “Proper decorum is not lying.”

Netizens called out the candidate and his daughter Alarice for their decorum during the debate.   – With Marc Jayson Cayabyab