By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent THIS week’s Pulse Asia survey results that showed that Vice President Jejomar Binay has regained his lead in the presidential race has given the Padayon Pilipino in the city and the province a boost. The local party’s leaders said they were optimistic that Binay’s popularity would strengthen the Padayon Pilipino’s campaign to reclaim city hall and retain its political dominance in Misamis Oriental. “Nalipay kami niana nga resulta sa survey,” said former mayor Vicente Emano, founder and leader of the Padayon Pilipino, who met with Binay who came over on Tuesday. Emano, who was slowed down because of health problems, is seeking city hall’s top seat, a position he held for over a decade until his defeat to Mayor Oscar Moreno in 2013. His son, Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, said he hoped Binay’s lead in the surveys would be sustained as this would further strengthen the Padayon Pilipino campaign in the city and the province. “Nagapanghina-ot lang kami nga  iya kanang manintinar ang resulta sa survey labi na gyud kon iya pa gyud nga mahatagan sa dugang katin-awan ang mga issue nga gilabay batok kaniya,” said the younger Emano. Ex-mayor Vicente Emano and Vice Gov. Pelaez join in the “boodle fight.” At the back is Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano.

Ex-mayor Vicente Emano and Vice Gov. Pelaez join in the “boodle fight.” At the back is Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano.

In the Dec. 4-11 Pulse Asia survey, Binay emerged as the choice of 33 percent of 1,800 registered voters from across the country, and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ranked second at 23 percent while Sen. Grace Poe placed third with 21 percent. The results also showed that Liberal Party bet, former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, ranked fourth with 17 percent, followed by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago was fifth with four percent. Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez said the Pulse Asia sirvey served as a “moral booster” to the Padayon Pilipino which has forged ties with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Pelaez said he expected Binay’s rating to soar in the succeeding surveys until May 2016. “Sa akong tan-aw, tuloy-tuloy na kana ang pagta-as sa  rating sa among kandidato sa pagka Presidente  kay ana-a kaniya ang physical fitness and mental alertness. Sa Boy Scouts pa, ang among kandidato laging handa.” Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas said Binay’s popularity would be translated into votes in the city and the province in favor of UNA and Padayon Pilipino’s candidates for national and local positions. “We’re stronger,” Acenas said. “At the end of the day, still, ang mga tawo ra man gihapon ang mohukom pero kon mag-election karon dayon,  I’m confident nga da-og ang Padayon Pilipino.”