Roco, FPJ Win in Mock Polls;
Legarda Consistent Choice for VP

Presidentiables Fernando Poe Jr. and Raul Roco emerged as winners in simultaneous mock elections held last week in Manila by Anak ng Bayan (Children of the Land) youth party. This is significant given that a recent study by the Population Commission showed 30 percent of the 43 million voters belong to the youth sector, aged 18-24. 

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat.com

Respondents of the said polls were 169 students in the University Belt in Manila and 102 students and out-of-school youth in Blumentritt, Manila.  Precincts were set up in front of the Far Eastern University in Morayta and along the railway in Blumetritt corner Avenida streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Roco won in the first mock elections, with 53 percent of the total votes cast.  Poe emerged as the No. 1 choice of the community youth with 73 percent, however. 

While incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ranked second in the University Belt polls, she only got 18 percent. Arroyo slipped to No. 3 in the Blumentritt polls with only nine percent.

Results of mock elections conducted by Anak ng Bayan youth party, January 26 and 27 

Anak ng Bayan National President Apolinario Alvarez said the survey provides a glimpse of the youth vote.   

Youth vote 

In a recent study by the Population Commission, 30 percent of the 43 million voters belong to the youth sector, aged 18-24.   

Alvarez said that the youth can sway the results of the May elections.  “If the candidates want to get the youth vote, they must present their agenda on education, employment and other youth concerns.” 

“While politicians are actively wooing the business sector, no one has presented a concrete program for the youth,” he added. 

Alvarez said the results were not surprising.  “Roco has always capitalized on his appeal to the youth,” he said. “FPJ, the hero in the movies, attracts the crowd in the community.” 

Not GMA 

Alvarez said the results prove that the students and youth dislike Arroyo. “We, the youth and students who participated in the People Power II uprising, are disillusioned over the Arroyo government…She did not heed any of the youth demands.” 

Alvarez pointed out that the youth hold the Arroyo regime accountable for intensifying commercialization of education and the rising unemployment among the youth. 

Loren 

Meanwhile, Loren Legarda is the consistent choice for vice president. 

Alvarez said however that popularity is not the only way to win.  “Even the out-of school youth look at the track record of politicians.”Bulatlat.com

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