Villar, Aquino Top OFW Survey in Austria

VIENNA, Austria - A group of Filipino organizations in Austria conducted a survey among their members to gauge their sentiments on who to vote for president in the May 10 elections, and Senators Manny Villar and Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III came out on top.

Eduardo Ramos, one of the organizers of the activity, said the survey gave "an insight on how Filipinos overseas will likely vote come election time.”

Ramos said they hope that presidential candidates will address issues confronting migrant workers.

“We challenge the candidates to prove their worth to the migrant workers who have long been denied our rightful say on policies and laws that impact on us and our families,” he said.

Philippine presidential contenders senators Manny Villar and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and vice presidential bets Mar Roxas and Jejomar Binay topped the survey for Philippine president and vice president, respectively.

Organizers told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that 42 people took part in the election survey. Both Villar and Aquino garnered 16 votes followed by former President Joseph Estrada with 6 votes, while Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro got 3 votes.

Tommy Aquino, a singer in Vienna, was very vocal in his support for Aquino.

“We should vote for Noynoy Aquino because he has no record of corruption. He is smart like his parents Senator Ninoy Aquino and President Cory Aquino. We need a leader like him,” he said.

A Pinoy from Salzburg, Austria, who didn’t want to be identified, displayed his support for Teodoro by wearing a green t-shirt.

“I am for Teodoro for President. We need a new breed of leaders like him. He is intelligent, principled and a strong leader!” he said.

Most of the Filipinos here who voted for Villar described the candidate as a genuine leader for the poor.

“His program of government is pro-poor. He will surely push the Philippines forward to progress,” Emerson Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, the Filipino Catholic community here has called on all Filipino migrants to vote on May 10 and convince relatives in the Philippines to elect leaders who will solve the root causes of unemployment.

Source: ABS-CBN News