By Willard Cheng
ABS-CBN News
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI—President Aquino is enlisting the help of his allies in the local level to help boost the winning chances of three administration senatorial candidates lagging behind in surveys.
“Well, there’s extra help. Parang ‘pag nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga leaders, baka pwedeng diinan ‘yung tatlo na mas maalala; dagdagan ‘yung awareness at ‘yung recall at sana naman may conversion. So ‘yung where we have… the organizational structure, where we have allies… We are trying to make extra efforts on all of them. But, at the same time, parang heartening na rin: nine out of 12,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.
Aquino believes that even candidates from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that look secure in their rankings may still be vulnerable.
"Naka-una pero may habulan din," he added.
Nine Team PNoy members have landed in the Top 12 senatorial candidates in the May polls, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey conducted April 13-15. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/22/13/nancy-cynthia-tied-3rd-4th-senate-race-sws]
Three more candidates - Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. (14-15), Jamby Madrigal (16) and Risa Hontiveros (17) - have failed to make it to the Top 12.
Earlier, Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon said the coalition has plans to boost the candidacy of the three candidates.
"We will keep on working hard. Of the three, Sen. Magsaysay is nearing the top 12," he told reporters.
