There is a general discontent and desire for improvement, and the surveys showing the opposition senatorial candidates ahead is reflective of this, Senator Mar Roxas said yesterday.

Asked if he would run for president in 2010, Roxas said he was in Bacolod campaigning for Liberal Party senatorial candidates Benigno "Nonoy" Aquino III and Francisco Pangilinan. In fact "2010 is so far away, I might decide to marry and retire and lead a quiet life," he said. "So now that we've hit Korina (Sanchez) I think the interview is over," he joked.

I am a believer in surveys, they reflect the views of the people surveyed and from a scientific point of view the broader population, he said.

Roxas was reacting to a report that Senatorial candidates of the Genuine Opposition topped the mock elections conducted by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting in the Diocese of Bacolod City Monday.

He pointed out that he used surveys when he was in marketing and big business pay a lot of money for them to get feedback on their products.

"Whatever is the result of the surveys is a reflection on the candidates and their ability to project themselves," he said.

"I think there is sincere and earnest hope for reform" and perhaps the populace see that happening in the candidates they have chosen in the surveys, he said.

Roxas said Aquino and Pangilinan were doing quite well in the surveys and he is confident of their victory but is continuing to campaign very hard for them.

We are pushing for issue-oriented reform-minded politics, he said.

"It's really this kind of politics that is the key to transforming our country from failed hopes to one that is able to deliver on its promise," he said.

Aquino said he does not believe in the administration bets' claims that the surveys showing the opposition leading in the senatorial race will be proven wrong when their machinery in the provinces kicks in.

If there is any fight in any contests, local bets will attend to saving themselves first, he said.

The PPCR survey in Bacolod had the following as the top 12 senatoriables: Francis Escudero (GO); Joker Arroyo (Team Unity); Martin Donato (Ang Kapatiran) and Allan Peter Cayetano (GO) tied at 3rd; Adriano Sison and Jesus Paredes II, both of Ang Kapatiran at 4th; Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Manuel Villar, both of GO, tied at 5th; Benigno Aquino III (GO) - 6th; followed by Loren Legarda (GO); Francis Pangilinan (Independent): Ralph Recto (TU) and Sonia Roco (GO) - tied at 9th place; Juan Miguel Zubiri (TU) - 10th; Antonio Trillanes IV (GO) - 11th and Michael Defensor - 12th place.*CPG

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