AN in-house survey taken two days after the suspension of Makati mayor Jejomar Binay showed a further surge in support for the opposition leader and his ticket, especially his lawyer-daughter Abigail Binay who is running for Congress in the city’s second district against Lakas-Kampi candidate Erwin Genuino, son of Pagcor chair Ephraim Genuino.

The survey gave Atty. Binay 68 percent of the votes from the second district, compared to only 21 percent for Genuino. The results showed a further spike in the younger Binay’s numbers, which was already at a high 55 percent in a Pulse Asia survey taken in April. The same survey gave Genuino only 19 per cent.

Support for Atty. Binay went up in all barangays in the district, and the additional votes came from the undecided voters who were apparently outraged by the illegal suspension of the mayor. Residents also said they were turned off by the failure of Binay’s rival to present concrete programs, relying mainly on the distribution of lechon, grilled fish, liquor, apples and other items to influence voters.

"After the illegal and unjust suspension of my father, voters in the second district clearly saw the real agenda of the candidates of Mrs. Arroyo. It became clear to them that the other side has no other agenda but to remove my father from office," she said.

The Commission on Elections is also hearing a disqualification case against Genuino for vote-buying. Genuine Opposition lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr. expressed confidence that the poll body would disqualify

Genuino after he presented to the Comelec last Tuesday what he described as "strong evidence."