‘USWAG’ IS WINNING
Survey shows Uswag Ilonggo among top party-lists
ILOILO City – The victory of Uswag Ilonggo party-list is looming, as shown in the latest nationwide Pulse Asia Research, Inc.’s Pulso ng Bayan pre-election national survey conducted from April 16 to 21.
Uswag Ilonggo is among the 10 party-lists which successfully surpassed the 2.0 percent voter reference threshold needed to secure at least one seat in the House of Representatives.
A total of 177 party- lists are participating in the May 9 elections.
This nationwide survey is based on a sample of 2,400 representative adults 18 years old and above, who are registered voters and likely to vote. Seventy- nine percent of the most likely voters expressed support for a party-list group.
Uswag Ilonggo was able to attain 2.19 percent of the total number of votes cast for the party-list election.
This score will enable them to win at least one congressional seat in the first round of seat allocation as stated in the Feb. 17, 2017 resolution issued by the Supreme Court.
The other top 10 party-lists were ACT-CIS (7.07 percent), 4Ps
( 5.17 percent), Ako Bicol ( 4.7 percent), Ang Probinsyano (3.98 percent), Tingog (2.63 percent), Senior Citizens Party-list (2.33 percent), Probinsyano Ako (2.28 percent), Kalinga (2.20 percent), and CIBAC (2.01 percent).
Uswag Ilonggo is a multisectoral representation which prioritizes progress and the welfare of every Ilonggo family via its five-point agenda.
These major thrusts include the well-being of every Ilonggo family; proper healthcare for the poor; consistent programs on infrastructure and tourism; agriculture and fisheries; and education, especially more scholarships for the youth.
In the local survey conducted by Random Access Consultants, Inc. from April 22 to 23 in Iloilo City, Uswag Ilonggo also appears to be the top preference of voters for party-list with a rating of 44.7 percent – or four in 10 likely voters preferred it.
ACT- CIS party- list came in second with 3.7 percent, followed by AAMBIS-Owa with 1.5 percent. UMA Ilonggo, Angkla 1.0 and Ang Probinsyano share 1.0 percent each.
Uswag Ilonggo takes pride in being the first regional political party in Western Visayas enjoying the support of local government units ( LGUs). It promises real Ilonggo representation in Congress.
As the elections draw near, more sectors from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental are giving their endorsements.
One major endorsement Uswag Ilonggo got was from Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon who said the regional party-list could be Western Visayas’ “stronger force and louder voice” in the House of Representatives.
He cited the programs of Uswag Ilonggo anchored on the needs and dreams of the Ilonggos.
“Diin ka man nga bahin sang rehiyon, Ilonggo ka. Uswag Ilonggo party-list para sa imo, para sa inyo, para sa aton tanan! Uswag Ilonggo, numero 99 sa balota. Aton ini,” Drilon said.
Sen. Grace Poe also backs Uswag Ilonggo.
Big political leaders in the region are also one with Uswag Ilonggo. These are governors Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, Rhodora Cadiao of Antique and Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras.
Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said Uswag Ilonggo in Congress is vital to making Western Visayas a premier region.
“In Region 6 we should all unite for one universal aspiration – the welfare of our constituencies,” he stressed.
They are joined by Iloilo City’s Cong. Julienne Baronda and Mayor Jerry Treñas; and majority of the congressmen in Region 6.
With Uswag I l onggo i n Congress, representatives from different provinces of the region will have an additional ally to help push their respective legislative agenda.
Majority of local officials back Uswag Ilonggo from incumbent vice governors, provincial board members, city and town mayors, vice mayors, down to punong barangays as well as political aspirants. They believe Uswag Ilonggo is a reliable partner in progress.
Civil society organizations support Uswag Ilonggo, too, including farmers’ and fisherfolk associations, senior citizen associations, tricycle operators and drivers association, and entrepreneurs, among others.
Artists and celebrities including Jed Madela, Angelia Ong and Erick Castillon also endorsed Uswag Ilonggo.
The nominees of Uswag Ilonggo, No. 99 in the ballot, are James “Jojo” Ang, Jr. as first nominee and Raisa Treñas-Chu as second nominee./ PN