Binay, Lacson thank supporters for tireless campaigning, trust

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay in the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas press conference in Pili Camarines Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Abby Binay and former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson have thanked volunteers for tirelessly supporting their campaigns and sharing their respective platforms.

Lacson and Binay, two of the 11-person Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate, on Friday expressed gratitude to their supporters as the campaign season winds up.

Binay said the volunteers’ energy kept her going despite a tight and rigorous schedule.

The Makati local chief executive believes it was through her volunteers’ efforts that she ranked well in pre-election surveys.

“I am utterly grateful to our volunteers and supporters for all the hard work they have put in since the start of the campaign. Their boundless energy and enthusiasm kept me going despite a rigorous schedule,” Binay said.

“I am truly heartened to have consistently placed within the magic 12 in all credible surveys. It is an extraordinary achievement made possible by the synchronized efforts of all my volunteers, supporters, and endorsers who have put their trust in me as their worthy ally and advocate in the Senate,” she added.

Binay also said the support of the Alyansa was a big factor in helping her to connect with people across the country, and listen to their concerns.

“Being part of the Alyansa senatorial slate has been an unforgettable and awesome experience. I will always cherish the opportunities it has provided for me to meet new friends and reconnect with old friends, and be inspired by their vision and their dedication to public service,” she added.

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson. (Voltaire Domingo/ Senate PRIB)

Lacson, meanwhile, said the votes for him would not be wasted, as he vows to work and do more for the country if he returns to the Senate.

“For the campaign’s last days, I want to extend my gratitude to all who helped and supported my candidacy.  They are the quiet but hardworking volunteers, silently giving their trust, time, and strength because they believe that we can still do more for the country,” he said in Filipino.

“There are a few days to go before we engage in our most important step towards the future. My simple promise is that I will not waste the votes you give us. I won’t let you down,” he added.

Lacson and Binay have been doing well in recent surveys, which are still dominated by Alyansa candidates.

According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Thursday, Lacson ranks sixth, getting 32 percent of the respondents’ votes. Binay was a close seventh, with 31 percent.

The SWS survey is dominated by Alyansa, with eight candidates inside the Magic 12. ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo leads the pack, getting 45 percent of the respondents’ votes, followed by the following bets:

• former Senate President Vicente Sotto III (3rd, 37 percent)
• Sen. Lito Lapid (4th, 34 percent)
• Lacson (6th, 32 percent)
• Binay (7th, 31 percent)
• Deputy Speaker Camille Villar (9th, 30 percent)
• Sen. Pia Cayetano (10th, 29 percent)
• Sen. Bong Revilla (11th, 29 percent)

READ: Erwin Tulfo leads final SWS survey on Senate race 

A separate survey from OCTA Research, meanwhile, showed that eight of the Alyansa bets are inside the Magic 12, including Tulfo, Sotto, Cayetano, Revilla, Binay, Lapid, Lacson, and Villar. /mcm