Underdog

All those attacks against Villar in connection with the C-5 road controversy only means free publicity for the guy.
Many voters, especially the poor with whom he has identified, think all the criticisms hurled against him are politically motivated.

Taken from- Why Villar is overtaking Aquino in the surveys
By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer


see:(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100205-251543/Why-Villar-is-overtaking-Aquino-in-the-surveys)

Filipino culture tells everybody to go for the underdog. Perhaps it is because they can relate to one. The average Filipino feels the pressure of struggling for daily food and expenses while others indulge in their vices and excesses. Yet, the higher classes constantly blame the poor for being lazy or for a dozen of other reasons. Maybe that itself is connected to Villar's standings in later poll results.

While being pinpointed regarding most of his issues, his rivals' reputations automatically get boosts. After all, one less voter for one is another voter more for the other. But in this case, any propaganda made against him makes may seem politically motivated wherein it is highly possible for his rivals to be involved.

While his advertisements do eat up most of primetime TV's time slots, it did it job as establishing a sort of connection with those who sympathize with the poor. Apparently, his rising poll results are proof of some of his avid supporters.