World | Philippines
Arroyo works magic again
President Gloria Arroyo looks to have worked her magic again with early election results favouring her candidates in the Lower House of Congress at both local and village level, analysts and a spokesperson told Gulf News.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 May 15, 2007
- Image Credit: EPA
- Philippines President Gloria Arroyo aboard her van shows her finger marked with indelible ink after casting her vote in her hometown of Lubao.
Manila/Mindanao: President Gloria Arroyo looks to have worked her magic again with early election results favouring her candidates in the Lower House of Congress at both local and village level, analysts and a spokesperson told Gulf News.
Diony Cabillas, team leader of the of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a group of foreign observers, said: "Seeing the victory of Ms Arroyo's local bets could be easily translated as a result of her magic."
Vindication
Other analysts said the success of the majority of the pro-administration candidates could be a vindication of Arroyo who survived two impeachment complaints and calls for her to resign after alleged election fraud in 2004.
The senatorial race, in which the opposition and ruling parties have both claimed a 50-50 per cent split, could result in a tilt that would favour Arroyo's candidates.
Arroyo banked on votes for her senatorial bets from 56 towns all over the country where opposition candidates had lost in 2004.
"For three years, she has strengthened that edge," said a campaign manager who requested anonymity.
"The senatorial elections were more than half-won by the administration," said pro-administration Senatorial candidate Edgardo Angara.
"We have a better political machinery. We are not the underdogs. We've done our homework. That will be validated by the results of the election," added the pro-administration's senatorial candidate Vicente Sotto.
"The 90-day campaign across the country was done with hard work at grassroots, where votes were stronger," explained Ben Evardone, media director of Team Unity, the name of the ruling party's candidate.
The administration allies showed signs of getting 80 to 90 per cent of positions from governor to mayor to councillor because of "realistic numbers," said Evardone, adding 267 pro-administration mayoralty and gubernatorial candidates ran unopposed or faced token challengers.
With inputs by Rafael Ulyssis and Cher Jimenez, Correspondents
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