Otso Diretso slate ‘elated’ over Pinoys’ preference for ‘clean’ bets

MANDAUE CITY—Senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party-backed "Otso Diretso" ticket on Monday expressed optimism after a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that voters would likely vote for candidates who would "not be corrupt."

Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc said she and her fellow opposition senatorial bets felt validated with the survey results.

"The SWS survey on choosing non-corrupt politicians gives the Otso Diretso validation," Gutoc said.

"I feel very great about the SWS survey na umaakyat ang appreciation ng mga publiko for non-corrupt politicians. This will validate our grounds well," she added.

Of the 1,440 adults surveyed by SWS from December to 19 last year, a fourth or 25 percent said they wanted a candidate who would not be corrupt.

Twenty-two percent said they were looking for candidates who helped or had concern for the poor.

Tied for the third spot, with similar 21 percentage points,  were the following traits of candidates: "trustworthy," including being honest and faithful; and has "good personal characteristics" like being good, generous, fair, and responsible.

Former Solicitor General and senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay said all "Otso Diretso" candidates were running with clean track records.

"Wala kaming mga plunder cases. Yung mga nasa Otso Diretso, pinili sa paraan na napaka-rigorous na proseso," Hilbay said.

Hilbay said "Otso Diretso" bets were running in a "campaign of contrasts" against the other senatorial candidates.

"'Yung mga kandidato na willing humarap sa mga mamamayan, willing na mabilad, gusto talaga nilang makausap ang mga tao. At kung ikaw gusto mong makausap ang mga tao, kaya mong harapin kung anong ipupukol sa'yo," Hilbay said.

"Sa tingin ko senyales yun ng kapasidad at integridad ng mga tumatakbo sa 'Otso Diretso,'" he added.

Former congressman Erin Tañada insisted that honesty was an important requirement in running for any elective position in the government.

This is in contrast to what Hugpong ng Pagbabago campaign manager Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's earlier statement that honesty is not an election issue.

"Hindi kami naniniwala na yung sinabi ni Inday Sara na hindi kailangan ng honesty habang ika'y kandidato pa lamang, hindi po. Honesty is required even if you're [just] a candidate dahil doon natin masusukat ang integridad ng isang tao," Tañada said.

The "Otso Diretso" senatorial candidates are currently in Cebu for a two-day series of campaign activities. —NB, GMA News