Name recall remains a major consideration in winning in the country’s elections as seen in the partial, official results of the senatorial race, according to a Palace official.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo admitted that an endorsement from President Duterte was not enough to secure a poll win, adding that a candidate must also be popular to attract votes.
“Maraming factors in winning eh. The No. 1 there is name recall,” Panelo said. “Kapag hindi ka masyadong kilala, kahit na in-endorse ka kung hindi ka naman kilala ng buboto, eh hindi ka rin lalabas,” he added.
Panelo was reacting to poll results showing some administration senatorial candidates failed to win in the midterm elections despite an endorsement from the President. Among these senatorial aspirants are reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan, and singer Freddie Aguilar.
Eight of the 12 slots in the Senate “Magic 12,” however, have been cornered by other administration senatorial bets based on partial and official results. They are releectionist Cynthia Villar, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano, former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, reelectionist Sen. Sonny Angara, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, and reelectionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.
The other candidates not endorsed by the President who made it to the Top 12 are reelectionist Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay, and former Senators Lito Lapid and Ramon Revilla Jr. (Genalyn Kabiling)