Opposition regrouping ups poll chances - analyst

Metro Manila, Philippines – The regrouping of opposition aspirants may give them higher chances of getting elected next year, a political analyst said.

The opposition has fared poorly in recent polls for Congress and higher positions, with few victories at local races.

Former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino are eyeing a Senate return, while Chel Diokno has shifted to a House seat through a party-list group.

Ex-Senator Leila de Lima will also seek a seat in the House of Representatives, while former Vice President Leni Robredo is running for Naga City mayor.

“I think their purpose is not so much to gain higher position; otherwise they should have filed their candidacies sa (in the) Senate. But they wanted a group of people to provide a more credible, stronger opposition,” Franco said.

While opposition bets have not figured in the so-called “Magic 12” in pre-election surveys for the Senate, Franco said Pangilinan and Aquino may still boost their chances.

She said while some voters choose the opposition, others are unmindful of political affiliations with the absence of “matured parties.”

“It’s still anybody’s game, particularly that Kiko and Bam are identified with Leni and let us not underestimate the 15 million (Filipinos) who voted for Leni,” she said.

Franco, however, said administration candidates and popular aspirants have the edge.

Brothers Erwin and Ben Tulfo, who are both seeking a Senate seat, topped a recent survey with a number of administration bets in the winninglist.

“Because of name recall, they have a good chance,” Franco said.

She urged voters to do their research on all aspirants.

“Everyone has a cellphone nowadays…They should really try to find out whether one’s candidate's claims (are) actually true or not,” she said.