Palace hopes popular PNoy propels whole ticket to victory

(Updated 7:07 p.m.) Team PNoy laggards are banking on their leader's Midas touch. “So far, and based on the surveys, it’s nine-three,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a briefing, referring to last Social Weather Station/BusinessWorld survey on senatoriables showing that nine administration bets made it to the "Magic 12." Malacañang is hoping that President Benigno Aquino III's high satisfaction, trust and approval ratings will be enough to catapult all of the administration's senatorial bets to victory in next month's elections. “We hope that this trend will continue,” Lacierda said. “Isang buwan na lang ang natitira [bago] eleksyon. Pero nakikita po rito ang kumpyansa po ng ating taumbayan kay Pangulong Aquino.” The nine administration bets are re-electionists Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, and Alan Peter Cayetano, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, former MTRCB chair Grace Poe, re-electionists Koko Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes IV, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, and Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara. On the other hand, members of the opposition coalition who made it to the Magic 12 are Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay; San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito; and former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Based on the results of the SWS survey, which was conducted March 19 to 22, Aquino's ratings gained by four points to a "very good" net +59, with 74 percent satisfied and 15 percent dissatisfied, while Pulse Asia's revealed that Aquino's approval rating increased from 68 percent in February to 72 percent last month. In a statement, Lacierda credited the Aquino administration's efforts in delivering basic services as the reason for the president’s high ratings. “Massive investments in the people through social services, health, and education; strategic focusing of resources in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure; and the establishment of a culture of integrity in governance have all redounded to the renewal of the people’s trust in their leaders,” he said. Lacierda also said that progress within the country has been noticed by the international community, citing in particular the country’s recent upgrade to investment grade status by Fitch Ratings — a first in Philippine history. “Such widespread support will be integral as the Aquino administration pushes for more reforms, which will allow us to take greater strides along the straight path to equitable progress,” he said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News