Cong. Edgar Chatto's gubernatorial hopes were kept alive with the latest poll survey showing him ahead of his two contenders. Placing a distant second, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera Wednesday appeared unfazed saying the latest results showed a dramatic improvement of the first survey. Rather than being discouraged, the vice governor said he was pleased to know that his ratings were gaining momentum in the latest survey of the Holy Name University (HNU) Research Center. “This is exactly where I want to be at this point,” the vice-governor said, adding that he is on top of the situation. He noted that the campaign period will start on March 27 yet so it will be the only time when the real fight begins.

“I would rather be second now and be no. 1 going into May 10,” he added. Herrera said he has nothing to be alarmed about because he is gaining momentum at this time.  He noted that according to the results of the Feb. 8 survey commissioned by Chatto, he was in third place behind the first district congressman and actor Cesar Montano. In that survey reported by the Chatto camp, the Lakas gubernatorial bet got 48% followed by Montano with 24% while Herrera got only 19%. The vice-governor said the results of the HNU survey conducted between Feb. 13 to March 8 put him in second place with 22% against Chatto's 40%. “It means that he dropped 8% points while I climbed up by 3%. If you add that up, it means an increase of 11 percentage points in less than a week,” he noted. Herrera said this means that while Chatto is still on top, he is definitely going down. In contrast, the vice-governor said he is moving up. He pointed out that Chatto has lately been at the receiving end of numerous issues ranging from alleged irregularities in his pork barrel projects such as the overpriced computers, substandard roads and questionable distribution of cell phones.

At the same time, Herrera said Chatto has to explain why he spent more for central office expenses than Speaker Prospero Nograles as revealed by a Commission on Audit report for 2009. Aside from this, Chatto is under fire for his alleged treachery and hypocrisy by Lakas mayors victimized by his manipulations to put in place his favored candidates. Gov. Erico Aumentado has also lately been very vocal against Chatto who blamed the governor for the Lakas disintegration. Herrera said that in contrast, Chatto's media bureau has resorted to mud-slinging and black propaganda against him because they could not come up with legitimate issues. “To tell you the truth, I do not want to be in his shoes right now,” he added. Herrera said Chatto will have his hands full defending himself against these and other issues going into the campaign. In contrast, the vice-governor said he will merely detonate one expose against another when the campaign begins. Herrera also noted that his satisfaction rating increased from plus 51 last year to plus 59 this year. This means that the people approved of his low-key but sincere approach to projects that address the basic needs of the people. “I am optimistic that when we enter the homestretch, we will take over the no. 1 slot,” Herrera boldly declared.