Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Thursday morning (September 3) visited Dipolog City to deliver his keynote speech at the Mindanao Business Conference at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center.
But shortly after arriving on a private plane, he first proceeded to radio stations for interviews.
In his interviews, Roxas expressed elation for finally beating Vice President Jejomar Binay in a survey — commissioned by the Liberal Party (LP), of which he is a member.
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According to the survey, Roxas will win a one-on-one presidential battle with Binay.
Among 1,200 respondents nationwide, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, LP chairman for political and electoral affairs, said 53 percent would support Roxas and only 37 percent would Binay, 10 percent were still undecided.
According to Erice, the survey was conducted right after President Benigno Aquino III endorsed Roxas on July 31.
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He declined to identify which polling firm carried it out.
The survey, however, did not include another possible presidential contender, Sen. Grace Poe, since she has not declared her intention to run.
LP survey made Binay smile
Binay said the Lliberal Party was only trying to boost its own morale by citing the survey.
According to Binay, Erice’s statement about the survey “made his day” and it kept him smiling the whole day.
Binay also said that those who lie a lot eventually would eventually believe their own lies.
“Nagpapalakas loob lang yun. Naniniwala na sila sa kasinungalingan nila,” said Binay.
[Translation: “They just trying to boost their confidence. They’re starting to believe their own lies.”]
The vice president also said LP is entitled to commission their own survey.
“They are entitled to that. We have to respect their press release,” Binay told reporters in an interview.
According to Binay, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) also commissioned a survey. But he opted not divulge the results.
Roxas recommends solution for Mindanao blackouts
While in Zamboanga del Norte, Roxas recommended the development of interconnection facilities between the three major islands to serve as long term solution for power outages in Mindanao.
According to Roxas, the interconnection facilities would reportedly connect Mindanao to Visayas and Luzon and would make use of excess power in these areas in case of a power crisis.
Roxas said that Visayas and Luzon rarely experience power shortage because of interconnection facilities between the two major islands – which he thinks would also benefit Mindanao if it will be connected.
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Roxas however said that the plan would entail huge funding. And for now, he will still recommend getting supply from power plants in the Mindanao region.
CNN Philippines’ regional stringer Liza Jocson contributed to this report.
