Malacañang is not bothered by the surging popularity of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III among the presidential aspirants in a latest opinion poll in Luzon, saying it remains to be seen if such will last until election day.

With the elections of national leaders still eight months away, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said they congratulate Aquino and other top bets in the survey but they should not be excessively confident about their rankings.

“Malacañang is not worried about the survey. Elections are still far away. Surveys will just tell you the wind is blowing but it will not tell you the actual velocity of the wind,” Golez said in a news conference in the Palace.

In its latest survey, the Social Weather Stations said it found more than 50 percent of eligible voters in Luzon would vote for Aquino if elections were held Monday. A far second in the survey was Senator Manuel Villar with 14 percent.

Golez said the political landscape may still change since a number of people have yet to announce their candidacies. The administration party, for instance, will announce its official standard bearer tomorrow, September 16, after consultations with members.

“Things will still change especially since the alignments of various political parties are still fluid,” said Golez, who is also eyeing a congressional seat in Bacolod next year.

Although apparently unfazed by the monumental rise of Aquino, Palace officials have offered several advices to the senator on his candidacy.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar recently challenged Aquino to campaign on his strength and achievements and not at the expense of President Arroyo. Olivar said Aquino should be a man rather than engage in endless tirades against the Arroyo government.

It was also Olivar who urged Aquino to “be your own man” and not just capitalize on the fame of his parents, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino.

Golez likewised cautioned Aquino to be wary about the company he keeps, citing that those who supported President Arroyo in 2001 betrayed her years later.