CITING pre-election surveys, the camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the former senator’s candidacy is gaining traction even in his opponent’s home region of Bicol, referring to Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
In the latest survey conducted by Laylo Research Strategies in January this year, Marcos garnered 51 percent as compared to Robredo’s 33 percent.
Marcos actually padded his lead considering the results of the same firm’s November 2021 survey when he registered 45 percent versus Robredo’s 29 percent.
Francisco Moreno Domagoso recorded 8 percent in January, compared to his 7 percent in November, Manny Pacquiao dropped to 3 percent from his previous 4 percent, while Panfilo Lacson dropped to 4 percent from a relatively higher 6 percent last November.
Overall, Marcos garnered 64-percent voters’ preference nationwide in January from an already dominant 58 percent in November, while Robredo’s numbers rose from 13 percent to 16 percent.
Tangere poll
Meanwhile, in a January 2022 survey conducted by Tangere, the country’s biggest online market research panel, Marcos led all presidential candidates in Bicol with 45.27-percent voters’ preference as compared to Robredo’s 25.57 percent.
Moreno was third in the same region with 17.42 percent, followed by Pacquiao with 6.88 percent, and Lacson with 3.96 percent.
Nationwide, according to the BBM camp, Marcos has stretched his lead to 57.67 percent, reinforced by his good showing in Mindanao at 67.03 percent; National Capital Region with 57.99 percent; and 63.59 percent in Northern and Central Luzon.
“Figures don’t lie. This is science talking. Well, those massive caravans and the number of people who attended the proclamation rally in Bulacan even if we are still in the pandemic is a sure sign that the numbers indicated in the different surveys and the reality on the ground coincide. Again, it will take more than just prayers to beat Marcos in this election,” the Marcos camp quoted one political expert as saying.
Valenzuela’s support
Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Thursday held a grand rally in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila’s vote-rich industrial center, on Thursday, during which they and UniTeam’s entire Senate slate were formally endorsed by local government officials led by Mayor Rex Gatchalian.
Bongbong and Sara were greeted with screams and shouts of joy shortly after they arrived at the Wellness Entertainment Sports (WES) Arena where the event was held.
In his speech, Bongbong expressed gratefulness for the warm welcome and noted that unity within the city and among all those who were present in the event was very evident.
“I wish to thank the people of Valenzuela for their warm welcome for the Marcos-Duterte tandem and the entire UniTeam. We in UniTeam desire unity. And from what I see here in Valenzuela, there is already such UniTeam [pagkakaisa],” said Marcos.
Mayor Sara for her part explained that they are called UniTeam because they are convinced that in unity and togetherness, “everything that is good for the country can be achieved.”
“Bakit UniTeam? Dahil naniniwala ako na ‘in unity there is strength,’ sa pagsasama at pagkakaisa magagawa natin lahat para sa bansa,” Sara pointed out.
Mayor Rex Gatchalian formally endorsed the BBM-Sara coalition, saying that among all presidential aspirants, UniTeam’s message of unity resonates most strongly with people.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, brother of Mayor Rex, and who is in the UniTeam senatorial ticket, also urged their city-mates to give their unequivocal support to their team especially to Bongbong and Sara, as they carry the message of unity for the country.