’14 out of 187 party-list groups have statistical chance of winning’

MANILA, Philippines – Pulse Asia reported yesterday that its latest survey showed that 14 out of 187 party-list groups running in the May 10 elections have statistical chances of winning congressional seats.

The survey that was conducted from April 23 to 25, showed that 14 party-list groups succeeded in winning the support of at least two percent of registered voters with Gabriela and Akbayan leading the list of probable winners.

Gabriela and Akbayan would get the maximum number of three congressional seats, receiving 7.32 percent and 5.36 percent, respectively.

The other groups that are likely to win congressional seats are Buhay (3.72 percent); Bayan Muna (3.55 percent); AKB (3.50 percent); Anak Pawis (3.28 percent); Senior Citizens (2.70 percent); An Waray (2.50 percent); A Teacher (2.39 percent); APEC (2.38 percent); Abamin (2.24 percent), Anad (2.22 percent); Abono (2.09 percent) and Butil (2.02 percent).

But using the formula for the allocation of party-list seats discussed in the Supreme Court’s ruling on April 21, 2009, there are 27 other groups that could win a seat in the House of Representatives, according to Pulse Asia.

They include KABATAAN, YACAP, 1-UTAK, AGAP, CIBAC, COOP-NATCCO, KALINGA, 1-Care, 1 Ang Pamilya, Akap Bata, Bandila, AGHAM, LPGMA, Banat, Act Teachers, PM (Manggagawa), ABC, 1-ABAA, AAPS, Babae Ka, AKAP, DIWA, AME, AKMA-PTM, PACYAW and ANAK.

There are currently 187 party-list groups vying for seats in the House, 32 of them were either not accredited outright or have pending motions for reconsiderations with the poll body or with the Supreme Court (SC).

The survey also found that 52 percent or a small majority of registered voters are aware of the party-list system.

“As the campaign for the May 2010 elections goes full-swing, more Filipino registered voters now say they have heard or read something about the party-list system compared to a month ago (52 percent versus 42 percent),” Pulse Asia said.

A majority of voters in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao (55 percent to 57 percent) and classes ABC and D (53 percent to 70 percent) know about the party-list system.

Between March and April, levels of awareness of the party-list system increase in class D (+11 percentage points), class ABC (+15 percentage points), and Mindanao (+16 percentage points), the pollster said. –Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)