February 16th, 12:07am February 15th, 11:30pm Mario J. Mallari

President Rodrigo Duterte’s endorsement proved to be a pivotal factor for candidates of the midterm elections as seven of his senatorial bets landed in the “winning circle” in the latest survey Pulse Asia released yesterday – with his close aide former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go making a huge jump into the “Magic 12.”

The seven were led by reelectionist Sen. Cynthia Villar who garnered 60.5 percent voters’ preference and ranked No. 2; followed by former Sen. and now Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano (53.3 percent) ranked 3 to 6; reelectionist Sen. Sonny Angara (48.8 percent) at No. 3 to 9; another reelectionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (45.5 percent) ranked 5 to 11; Go (44.7 percent) at No. 6 to 12; Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (41.2 percent) ranked 7 to 15 and former Bureau of Corrections Chief Ronald de la Rosa (36.9 percent) at No. 11 to 16.

The seven were among the 11 senatorial candidates officially endorsed by Mr. Duterte during a political rally in Bulacan on Thursday.

Notably making a huge jump to the “Magic 12” was Go, who was previously ranked by Pulse Asia at No. 14 to 16. It was the first time that the former SAP broke into the top 12 of Pulse Asia.

On the other hand, Villar, Cayetano, Angara, Marcos and Pimentel have been consistently in the “Magic 12.”

De la Rosa registered higher voters’ preference than his previous 35.7 but was ranked lower this time.

Topping the survey conducted 26 to 31 January was still independent bet reelectionist Sen. Grace Poe who registered 74.9 percent voters’ preference.

Others who made it to the winning circle were actor-turned politician Lito Lapid who garnered 53 percent preference and was tied with Cayetano at No. 3 to 6; reelectionist Sen. Nancy Binay (50.1 percent) at No. 3 to 7; former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (44.3 percent) ranked 6-12; former Sen. Mar Roxas (41.8 percent) at No. 7 to 14; former Sen. Ramon Revilla (40.2 percent) ranked 8-15; reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino and former Sen. Serge Osmeña were tied at No. 10-15 with 38.5 percent and 37.7 percent voters’ preference and ranked 11 to 16 was De la Rosa with 36.9 percent.

The four others endorsed by Mr. Duterte remained in the Top 20 with reelectionist Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito at No. 15 to 16 with 32.8 percent; former Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino (21.4 percent) at No. 17 to 18 and Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (10.5 percent) tied with folk singer Freddie Aguilar (8.8 percent) at ranked 19 to 23.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile received 23.3 percent voters’ preference and was ranked No. 17 to 18.

The nationwide survey was based on a multistage probability sample of 1,800 likely voters, 18 years old and above. It has a margin error of plus-minus 2.3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

The President also publicly apologized to Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez over his ouster from the House Speakership last year supposedly plotted by his daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“We really are friends, the former House Speaker and I. We’ve been friends for a very long time, but I am very sorry that it had to happen. It was Inday… I cannot bear it,” he said in a speech during PDP’s proclamation and kick-off rally in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last Thursday night.

Alvarez was present during the event, the first political sortie attended by the Chief Executive who is also the party’s chairman.

Members of the House of Representatives stripped Alvarez of the leadership following his word war with Duterte-Carpio.

He was replaced by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address in July 2018.

Mr. Duterte later on admitted that it was his daughter who maneuvered Alvarez’s ouster as she “operated in Davao.”

He also confessed to not being able to control Sara who is known for her feisty and outspoken personality.

The President explained that for fathers like him, it is hard to pick – and win – a fight with their daughters.

“I really can’t handle Inday, to tell you the truth. It will just end up in a fight. She dictates things probably because she thinks I’m already old. Even the party had a conflict,” he stated.

The Chief Executive said his daughter probably took offense when Alvarez implied that, as House Speaker, he can have him impeached from office.

Go, meanwhile, appealed to his supporters sustaining his bid to take down campaign materials posted without his consent.

“I’m begging you to stop intervening in the election (campaign). Don’t put my name, don’t post those tarpaulins and remove them if possible. Help me to take those tarpaulins down so that they can’t say something against me,” Go said.

He also reiterated the directive of Mr. Duterte to government officials especially to Cabinet members, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, to stay loyal to the flag and just keep their support to themselves.

“I am asking all of the Filipinos, just keep to your hearts the Filipino that you think that might serve his fellow Filipino,” Go advised.

Furthermore, he slammed PCIJ’s report explaining that all the expenditures that they should count are those materials that aired from the start of the campaign last 12 February.

“First of all, what they are saying is irrelevant because the campaign period started last 12 February. All of those ads that we pay for will be counted from the total minutes (of airing time) … They will be declared to Comelec (Commission on Elections) and those are with receipts,” Go said.

He added the timing of the report was malicious given that the Filipinos are trusting him and the President.

Go mentioned that it was also baseless as a lot of campaign ads were posted and aired without his consent, adding that some of these were not paid by his camp and they come free.

Villar yesterday welcomed Mr. Duterte’s endorsement as a huge boost to her reelection bid.

“I am both humbled and honored to have the endorsement of a very popular President,” Villar said.