UniTeam senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, former three-term mayor of Quezon City, is moving up the ladder to secure his spot in the so-called “Magic 12” of the senatorial race, or those who have statistical chances of winning.

According to a survey conducted May 2 to 5 by polling firm Publicus Asia, Bautista moved up from a previous ranking of 11 to 12 to 10 with a respondent base of 1,500.

This showed an increased chance of winning in the Senate race.

Bautista expressed thanks to his supporters and asked them to go out and vote and reaffirm the survey numbers through their ballots.

“I am very grateful to those who share my dreams for the country,” said Bautista, who is running on a platform of Internet reform, Livelihood for all and Youth development, or ILY, and Pagkain para sa Pamillyang Pilipino.

Bautista had broken into the winning circle of the senatorial race when he landed No. 11 to 12 in a recent survey by Pulse Asia.

Two more surveys—another by Pulse and one by Publicus—confirmed Bautista’s hold on the Magic 12 alongside incumbent senators running for reelection, known government officials and other showbiz personalities.

Bautista made a name in the entertainment industry as a comedian and transitioned to politics to serve for more than 30 years as legislator, vice mayor and mayor of Quezon City, the country’s biggest city in terms of area.

In a previous statement, Bautista said the lessons he learned from his nationwide campaign were far more educating than those he drew from at least two masters’ degrees—one from the University of the Philippines and another from the National Defense College.

If he becomes senator, Bautista said he would prioritize legislation to:

* Strengthen micro, small and medium scale enterprises as part of his livelihood agenda

* Improve internet services nationwide by tapping the amended Public Services Act

* Bring more classrooms and teachers through education reforms that included increases in teachers’ salaries as part of his youth agenda

“Let’s bring these dreams to reality,” Bautista said, addressing himself to his supporters and voters. “If not now, when? If not us, who?” he said, quoting lines made famous by activists at the University of the Philippines, where he studied.