PNoy’s endorsement of candidates caused belief in potential poll fraud, Chiz Escudero says

BAGUIO CITY—President Benigno Aquino III’s endorsement of national candidates has led almost four out of ten Filipinos to believe that cheating could happen in the May elections, Senator Francis Escudero said Tuesday.

Escudero said Aquino's endorsement of Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas and vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo and the Daang Matuwid coalition's senatorial bets could have caused doubts in the credibility of the upcoming polls.

“Kaugnay sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino, wala akong duda na patas si Pangulong Aquino. Pero marahil ang kaisipang yan ng ating mga kababayan ay galing sa pag-endorso niya ng kandidato at pagkampanya niya sa isang kandidato imbis na pangasiwaan na lamang sana niya ang isang parehas at patas na eleksyon nang walang ini-endorso o walang ika nga, ikinakampanya,” Escudero said.

On whether Aquino should no longer campaign for any candidate, Escudero said: “Ang sinasabi ko, yun marahil ang pinanggagalingan ng impresyon ng 39 porsyento dahil ang administrasyon niya at siya mismo ay may ini-endorso.”

Vice presidential candidate Escudero, who is running for vice president as Senator Grace Poe's running mate, said voters’ fear that cheating may occur in the upcoming polls may be eased if the President did not endorse any candidate.

According to a survey released by Pulse Asia Monday, 39 percent of voters expect cheating to take place during the polls.

Only 29 percent said they do not expect cheating to take place while 32 percent were undecided. —NB, GMA News