Palace expects ratings boost for Gibo end-Feb

Malacañang is expecting a major ratings boost for administration standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. by the end of February, the first month of the campaign period for the May elections. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde also claimed Teodoro will enjoy another plus: a “built-in" advantage of up to 25 percent of the votes to be delivered by the administration party’s political machinery. “We are hopeful that by end of February there will be a significant increase in the rating of Sec. Gibo Teodoro," Remonde said in an interview on dzRH radio, saying Teodoro will have a chance to show his stuff, including presenting his programs and taking part in debates. The campaign period officially starts second week of February, 90 days before the May 10 election. Teodoro, presently lags behind in recent presidential surveys conducted by pollsters such as Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations. Last Sunday, Senate majority leader and administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s vice president for Mindanao Juan Miguel Zubiri admitted Teodoro’s ties with Malacañang are hurting his chances. But Remonde said President Arroyo is “hoping" Teodoro could show his stuff as he gets exposure in campaign trails and in presidential debates. “(She is) hoping na si Sec. Teodoro mas ma-expose sa maraming tao at makita ang performance niya sa mga debate; mag-improve ang kanyang rating (She is hoping Teodoro’s rating will improve once he gets exposure to many people, and people see him perform during debates)," he said. Built-in advantage plus divided opposition Remonde claimed that Teodoro enjoys the administration’s political machinery that can deliver “20 to 25-percent share of the votes in every election." With this “built-in" advantage, Teodoro is likely to pull ahead of his political opponents, Remonde added. Besides, he said, the “opposition" is still divided, with nine of the 10 candidates approved by the Commission on Elections considered “non-administration." “Divided ang opposition, iisa lang ang kandidato nito. Ngayon 10 ang kina-qualify na kandidato ng Comelec. Sa sampu, siyam ang di admin. That is one big advantage (The opposition is divided while the administration has one candidate. Now there are 10 candidates the Comelec allowed to run for president. Of the 10, nine are non-administration)," he said. - LBG, GMANews.TV